On the day that the US reported 6.6 million new unemployment filings last week – doubling the record set the previous week and dwarfing any earlier mark – the White House chose to lead its daily briefing on the economic aid being directed to stanch the economic bleeding.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who helped craft the $2.2tn (£1.8tn) economic aid package Congress passed last week, said government efforts focused on three areas:

a $350bn programme of forgivable loans to small businesses

expanded coverage and increased payments to unemployed workers

more than $6tn in financial liquidity for the US financial system once the peak of the outbreak has passed

"We want American businesses to be kept intact," Mnuchin said. "We want you to have a business you can reopen when it’s appropriate."

Mnuchin’s assurances come after the New York Times reported numerous financial institutions were confused about the small-business loan process and unsure whether they would be able to handle what is expected to be a huge demand for the funds.

The latest economic indicators suggest many US businesses are teetering on the brink, shedding payroll simply to stay financially afloat. Congress rushed to pass an aid package to address the crisis.

The question now is whether the administration can get the help out the door in time.