US infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci says the nation has a "serious problem" as 16 states reel from a spike in COVID-19 cases, BBC News reported.

More than 40,000 new cases were recorded across the US on Friday.

There are over 2.4 million confirmed infections and more than 125,000 deaths nationwide—more than any other country. 

Fauci said the US was facing a serious problem in certain areas with respect to the coronavirus. "So what goes on in one area of the country ultimately could have an affect on other areas," he added.

Fauci said the current rises were due to everything from regions "maybe opening a little bit too early," to opening at a reasonable time "but not actually following steps in an orderly fashion," to the citizens themselves not following guidance.

The US infectious disease chief added that if the spread was not stopped, eventually even the parts of the country doing well now would be affected.