The death toll of COVID-19 in the U.S. could range between 168,000 to 182,000 by August 22, according to an ensemble forecast published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 31.

The U.S. now has over 155,000 people died from COVID-19, according to the latest tally released by the John Hopkins University, which means about 20,000 more COVID-19 deaths could take place in the country over the next three weeks.

White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Deborah Birx on Sunday told CNN that the U.S. is "in a new phase" of the coronavirus pandemic.

"What we are seeing today is different from March and April. It is extraordinarily widespread. It's into the rural as equal urban areas," Brix said.

However, there's more for the country to worry about.

The positive rate of the nucleic acid test in the U.S. is surging while the number of tests is decreasing. And crowd gatherings never stop, as reported by CNN.

As of Monday morning local time, positive virus testing rates increased in most states compared with the previous week, according to the data by Johns Hopkins, and 33 states reporting higher positivity rate than the WHO's recommended criteria which say the rate should remain at or below five percent.

While the country is seeing a rising level of potential infection, the number of tests is falling in about 18 to 20 states because of the strain on testing systems, Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute told CNN. "That's very concerning because when cases are rising, and your number of tests are falling, that's a recipe for disaster."

Besides, though public health experts in the United States have been urging people to comply with the epidemic prevention rules and not to gather, social gathering activities continue.

Dozens of people gathered at a private indoor party at a saloon in Los Angeles, California on Friday night, without masks or social distancing.

The local health department recently issued a statement saying that it is exactly the situation that puts the whole community at unnecessary risk.

On Saturday, at least 200 boats carrying revelers turned out along the Illinois River in East Peoria for the annual "White Trash Bash" event, which came just after the local government's warning that COVID-19 infections are on the rise in the area. But still, none of the some 500 revelers wore masks or practiced social distancing.

In addition, at least 46 bars and restaurants in Ohio have violated rules related to COVID-19 since May, the state's Department of Public Safety said.