The U.S. COVID-19 death toll approached 71,000 Tuesday, with more than 1.2 million confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced on Tuesday that the White House coronavirus task force could be disbanded within a month.

Pence says the U.S. has made "tremendous progress" in its response to the pandemic. 

Former vaccine official, Rick Bright has filed a whistleblower complaint, saying he was demoted for "prioritizing science and safety over political expediency," according to the Washington Post. 

Bright was demoted from Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority after raising concerns over the possible toxicity of a drug that President Trump promoted as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

As several U.S. states begin to reopen their economies, the stock market also saw a rise for the second day in a row. 

On Tuesday, the Dow closed more than 130 points higher, spurred by optimism over states planning to reopen their economies. 

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