The U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic has shifted to the South and West, where cases have ballooned to record highs. At least 14 states are now pausing their reopening plans or moving back toward lockdown, and the national death toll from the disease has topped 127,000. Still, the majority of states are continuing to lift their restrictions on movement and activities. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Millions of children and parents are desperate to know what the fall might look like in terms of school. Recently, a group of public health and pediatrics experts made the case that kids need to be in the classroom and not at home. William Brangham reports and talks to Sean O'Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics about strategies for mitigating the risk of coronavirus spread in schools. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

One of the reasons COVID-19 presents such a significant global medical challenge is that there are few effective therapies for it so far. As cases fill hospital beds across many parts of the country, doctors and scientists are coming up with inventive ways to treat the disease, if not to cure it. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. is now averaging roughly 40,000 new confirmed infections of COVID-19 each day. The caseload has more than doubled this month in at least 10 states, mostly in the South and the West. As some states put their reopening plans on hold, the nation's top health experts are sounding new warnings about the recent surge -- and how it could grow even more severe. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In the U.S., some states that reopened their economies early are now reversing course as the virus surges back, sickening thousands and filling hospitals to capacity. Arizona's governor has ordered gyms, bars and other businesses to close again after reopening them in the middle of May. William Brangham talks to Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The ventilator has been a vital piece of medical machinery in treating some of the most severe COVID-19 patients. But the devices were hard to come by and expensive at the beginning of the pandemic, prompting a group of residents at Massachusetts General Hospital to start the CoVent-19 Challenge to design a cheaper, easy-to-assemble model. John Yang reports on the innovative ideas it inspired. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Dr. Diane Meier is the director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care in New York City. As a palliative care specialist, she has an intimate view of how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting patients and their loved ones. Meier shares her Brief But Spectacular take on showing compassion during COVID-19. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The United States is struggling to hold back the coronavirus. More than 30 states are reporting a rise in infections, and several are now reconsidering their plans to loosen restrictions and reopen economic activities. William Brangham talks to Dr. Tom Frieden, who previously led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and now heads a global health initiative called Resolve to Save Lives. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Pharmaceutical companies and governments around the world are chasing a coronavirus vaccine, fast tracking the usually years-long vaccine development procedure to a few months. ProPublica reporter Caroline Chen joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the ambitious timeline and the unpredictability of the clinical trials. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

At least six states have reported a record increase in COVID-19 cases as the total number of cases in the U.S. nears 2.5 million. Some states, like Florida, which saw more than 9,500 new cases Saturday morning, are rolling back some of the reopening including shutting beaches, parks and some bars. Ben Conarck, who covers healthcare for the Miami Herald, joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the state's response.

PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders