U.S. health officials on Friday would not rule out the possibility of fresh COVID-19 lockdowns amid fears a second wave is sweeping the world.

Around half a dozen U.S. states, some among the first to reopen their economies, recorded new coronavirus spikes on Thursday.

That was mirrored in India, where nearly 11,000 registered new cases set a record.

The World Health Organization has warned that the global picture is worsening, with nearly 70% of recorded coronavirus deaths in the Americas.

Jay Butler, Deputy Director for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters, "The pandemic is not over. Nationally we have been successful in flattening the curve the number of new cases each day has plateaued."

"But right now, communities are experiencing different levels of transmission."

Asked if that meant a new round of lockdowns, Dr Butler replied, "If cases go up again, more intensive mitigation efforts may be needed again...according to the level of disease transmission."

But U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal in his determination to fully reopen the U.S economy as soon as possible.

Trump is also planning on resuming his election campaign rallies with an event in Oklahoma next week.

The CDC advises cancelling all gatherings of more than 250 people, but Dr Butler would not be drawn on whether this applies to the President's rally, adding, "the guidelines not intended for specific events."