White House COVID-19 senior adviser Jeffrey Zients told reporters the "surge response" teams would be ready to speed additional testing supplies and therapeutics to communities that were experiencing increases in COVID-19 cases.
The blue-chip Dow joined the bellwether S&P in positive territory, but a decline in tech shares - led by microchips - helped pull the Nasdaq slightly lower.
Security Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Kuala Lumpur and several districts in Selangor will see stricter measures imposed from Saturday for a period of two weeks.
Only essential busineses, including factories producing food and daily necessities are allowed to operate, he said.
This week, Portugal, Spain and Malta all abruptly increased restrictions for travellers from the UK, although the three said they would accept fully vaccinated Britons.