US marks highest number of deaths in a day after several days of a downward trend

(CNN)The US recorded its highest number of coronavirus deaths in a day after several days in which the death toll had fallen or was nearly flat.

The daily death toll was 2,405 on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases, bringing the total number of US deaths to 26,033. At least 609,240 people have been infected with the virus in the US.
Despite the grim numbers, health officials have said they believe US numbers are leveling, but warn states shouldn't yet ease up on social distancing measures because a resurgence of the virus is highly likely once Americans begin getting out of the house again.
What will be key to preventing another deadly wave in the country are the tools to track and monitor new cases.
"You want your resources to be able to very efficiently in real-time identify, isolate, and contact trace," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said.
CDC, FEMA have drafted a national plan to reopen US, report says
CDC, FEMA have drafted a national plan to reopen US, report says
In the meantime, finding the right time to reopen the country is still a work in progress.
A team led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has drafted a strategy to return the country to work that includes guidance for local and state governments on how to reopen the country safely and in phases, the Washington Post reported. CNN has reached out to the government agencies for comment.
Meanwhile, governors across the country have also begun diving into discussions about the first steps toward reopening their economies, with many of the nation's stay-at-home orders, as well as the federal government's social distancing guidelines, set to expire at the end of the month.
But many state leaders who are still seeing their number of cases climb say it's still too soon to begin thinking about lifting any measures.