In particular, Admiral Brett Giroir called for the re-closing of bars, greater spacing in restaurants and the near-universal wearing of masks in the areas most afflicted.
His comments came one day after President Donald Trump, who had long played down the importance of masks, appeared in public wearing one for the first time.
Giroir's comments came on a weekend when states across the country recorded new highs in coronavirus cases.
A top US health official said Sunday that with deaths from Covid-19 expected to continue rising in coming weeks, "everything should be on the table," including renewed lockdowns in hard-hit states.
"We're all very concerned," said Admiral Brett Giroir, the assistant secretary of health, on ABC's "This Week."
