Dr. Fauci says crowded protests are the 'perfect setup' for a resurgence of coronavirus and he's 'very worried' they could cause setbacks - as he warns demonstrators to keep masks on

Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that Black Lives Matter protests are the 'perfect setup' for further spread of COVID-19.

Across all 50 states, Americans have been demonstrating for racial equality and justice in the wake of George Floyd's killing – an unarmed black man who cried 'I can't breathe' as white Minneapolis Police Department cop Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

After nearly two weeks of people demanding the defunding of police and laws to better protect citizens, Fauci has expressed his concern about the gatherings.

'It's a perfect setup for further spread of the virus in the sense of creating these blips which might turn into some surges,' Fauci told WTOP radio on Friday.

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Dr. Fauci said on Friday that protests are 'a perfect setup for further spread' of coronavirus

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Demonstrator raise their fists at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC during a protest against police brutality and racism on Saturday. Demonstrations are being held across the US following the death of George Floyd last week while being arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Thousands of Americans have gathered to exercise their right to protest (pictured on Saturday). 'It's a delicate balance because the reasons for demonstrating are valid and yet the demonstration itself puts oneself at an additional risk,' Fauci warned

Thousands of people marched in Washington DC this weekend, gathering nearby President Trump's residence which was recently fenced in.

It came after the mayor renamed Pennsylvania Ave, making Trump's new address 1600 Black Lives Matter Plaza.

Trump has refused to appease Americans, leading to even bigger shows of support for black communities.

'I get very concerned, as do my colleagues in public health, when they see these kinds of crowds,' the coronavirus task force doctor told WTOP. 'There certainly is a risk. I can say that with confidence.'

African Americans are more likely to face police brutality and more likely to be affected by coronavirus. 

However the killing of Floyd last Monday, and outrage against Amy Cooper - who threatened to call NYPD and tell them an African American man was threatening her life - sparked protests against racial injustice. 

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'Hands up, don't shoot': But as Americans gather around the White House, which is now surrounded by an additional, higher fence, Fauci is worried about people not wearing masks

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Many have been removing their face coverings to chant things such as 'no justice, no peace', while others have taken them off for some relief after being tear gassed by police

Thousands of protesters march on DC over George Floyd's death

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Despite states being at various stages of reopening, health experts are still advising people to stay six feet apart and wear a face covering. 

But images have shown people remove their masks as they chant 'no justice, no peace' and 'hands up, don't shoot'. 

Others have removed them for relief after being tear gassed by law enforcement, and in one case an NYPD cop was seen removing a man's mask to hit him with pepper spray.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the only thing health experts can do is remind people to wear masks and take precautions.

'It's a difficult situation. We have the right to peacefully demonstrate and the demonstrators are exercising that right,' Fauci added. 

'It's a delicate balance because the reasons for demonstrating are valid and yet the demonstration itself puts oneself at an additional risk.'

The US is nearing 2 million cases of coronavirus and there had been 109,802 deaths as of Sunday.

Fauci reiterated his concern in another interview published Sunday.

'As I sat in front of the TV and watched the screen go from Washington, D.C., to New York City, to Los Angeles, to Philadelphia, I got really concerned,' Fauci told the Sunday Times of London. 

'I was going, "Oh my goodness. I hope this doesn't set us back a lot." [After] all of the work in trying to maintain the physical distance and doing all the things, I became very concerned that we might see a resurgence.'