Australia's hotspot virus state Victoria reports 800th death, other states ease restrictions

Australia’s coronavirus hotspot state Victoria reported its 800th death from the virus on Thursday, but low case numbers raised the prospect of a “COVID-normal” 2021 without lockdowns or social restrictions, said the state premier. “We’re confident we’ll be able to build a COVID-normal Christmas, a COVID-normal summer and a virus at such a low level that we can sustain that over the long term,” Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne. “That may even be for the majority, or indeed the entirety of 2021.”