The line for Coronavirus vaccinations at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois, March 10, 2021 (Scott Olson/Getty)

President Joe Biden calls on state and local leaders to restore Coronavirus mask mandates, as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of “impending doom” from another surge.

Since Biden took office on January 20, almost 130 million vaccine doses have been administered, bringing the US total to 146 million. The President has set a goal of May 1 for all US adults to receive at least one dose.

But daily cases, which had fallen 75% from a peak of 300,669 on January 8, have begun to rise again. On Wednesday, 70,265 were recorded, with a 19% rise over the past two weeks.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, holding back tears, asked Americans to “hold on a little while longer” and observe Coronavirus measures.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope, but right now, I’m scared,” she said.

The US death toll reached 550,003 on Monday. Confirmed cases are 30,331,029.

A CDC report released Monday confirmed the effectiveness of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, preventing both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases “in real world conditions”.

But public health experts say there is a race in the US between mass vaccination — which reached 3.3 million on Sunday — and the spread of dangerous variants of the virus.

Some state leaders, such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, have defied the guidance to lift mask mandates

See also Coronavirus: Biden Criticizes “Neanderthal Thinking” of State Leaders Lifting Mask Mandates

Biden reported new steps to expand vaccine eligibility and access, including a dozen new mass vaccination centers. He said steps are being implemented so 90% of Americans are no farther than five miles from a vaccination site by April 19.