Coronavirus: Live updates

CNN says covid-19 has infected more than 3.1 million people and killed at least 217,000 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the US, more than 1 million cases have been recorded, including at least 58,000 deaths.

Meanwhile, New Zealand, Australia and several European countries including Portugal, France and Greece have started to ease lockdown restrictions.

Read the full story on CNN

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Virus testing opens for millions of more people in England

BBC News says coronavirus testing is available for millions of more people in England from today after the government loosened rules on who can apply. 

Last week, testing was expanded to all key workers in England and their households. Now, all care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave home to work are entitled to a test.

Read the full story on BBC News

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Hosting Tokyo Olympics next year difficult without a vaccine, says Japan’s chief of medical association

Japan Times says it will be difficult for Tokyo to host the Olympic Games next year unless there is an effective vaccine against the new coronavirus that causes Covid-19 the head of the Japan Medical Association (JMA) said Tuesday. 

“I am not saying that Japan should or shouldn’t host the Olympics, but that it would be difficult to do so,” said JMA president in a media briefing. 

Read the full story on Japan Times

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Women’s fashion manufacturers to make reusable gowns for NHS

The Guardian says a Derbyshire women’s clothing manufacturer is to make 12,500 surgical gowns for local hospitals after they worked together to develop a reusable version of the vital protective equipment. 

David Nieper, whose 250 expert sewers specialise in luxury fashions for the over-50s, developed the gowns in partnership with the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS foundation trust, which has ordered 6,000. Two other trusts, including Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, are set to take the rest.

Read the full story on The Guardian

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China lashes out at US, claims country is ‘lying through their teeth’ on coronavirus, threatens Australia

Fox News says China’s foreign ministry on Tuesday accused the US of “lying through their teeth” and suggested the country mind its own business as the war of words between the two continue. 

“We advise American politicians to reflect on their own problems and try their best to control the [coronavirus] epidemic as soon as possible instead of continuing to play tricks to deflect blame,” spokesman Geng Shuang said.

Read the full story on Fox News

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UN warns of a new humanitarian crisis as Covid-19 looms over Yemen

Aljazeera says the United Nations has said nearly one million displaced people in Yemen risk losing their shelter, warning of a dire funding shortfall and “a very real probability” that the new coronavirus is already circulating undetected in the war-torn country. 

Some $89.4m is urgently needed in coming weeks to keep life-saving aid programmes running, the UNHCR said. Adding the shortfall threatens critical assistance for the “most vulnerable” to covid-19.

Read the full story on Aljazeera