Coronavirus Victoria live: Dr Anthony Fauci's virus message for Victorians

Trump's top virus advisor has a message for Victorians, who have just set a world record for smashing their state's second wave. 

Trump's top virus advisor has a message for Victorians, who have just set a world record for smashing their state's second wave.

 

America's top COVID-19 expert Dr Anthony Fauci has praised Victoria's miraculous recovery from its second wave of coronavirus.

Speaking in a University of Melbourne panel discussion with Doherty Institute director Sharon Lewin, Dr Fauci said Australia had done "quite well" handling the pandemic.

"I would like to say the same for the United States, but the numbers speak for themselves," he said.

Dr Fauci said Victorians in particular were worthy of admiration for how wholeheartedly they have embraced masks.

"I really wish that we could transplant that kind of mentality here, because masks in the United States have almost become a political statement," he said.

Melbourne set a world record this month, becoming the first city in the world to successfully crush its second wave in a matter of weeks, after Premier Daniel Andrews enforced one of the planet's toughest virus lockdowns.

Earlier, Victorians were urged to be cautious as people flocked to pubs and shops at 11.59pm last night to mark the easing of Melbourne's lockdown.

Kmart fans queued up outside stores across the city last night to be the first through the doors as they reopened, sparking fury from residents who blasted them as "selfish" for ignoring social distancing rules.

Victoria recorded two new COVID-19 cases and two deaths on Wednesday. NSW recorded one new case of community transmission and seven cases in hotel quarantine.