Washington, May 13 (RHC)-- The United States continues to lead the world in COVID-19 infections, with researchers at Johns Hopkins recording 1,894 deaths from the disease in just 24 hours Tuesday — a sharp increase from earlier this week.  The official U.S. death toll now stands at over 82,300. 

On Tuesday, NBC News published an unreleased White House report showing a surge of coronavirus cases in heartland U.S. communities.  Topping the list was Central City, Kentucky. Other hot spots include Nashville, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa; and Amarillo, Texas.  

The leaked May 7th coronavirus task force report contradicts this claim made by President Trump on Monday.  Trump said: “All throughout the country, the numbers are coming down rapidly.”