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Good morning and welcome to The Independents coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Heres the latest:
– Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19, research suggests. Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to a study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer.
– Coronavirus testing is available for millions more people in England after the government eased rules on who can apply. After services were expanded last week to key workers and their households, now all care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave their home to work in England are entitled to a test.
– China accused Australia of “petty tricks” on Wednesday in an intensifying dispute over Canberra’s push for an international inquiry into the coronavirus outbreak that could affect diplomatic and economic ties between the countries.
– The number of coronavirus cases in the United States has passed a million, accounting for nearly a third of the total cases worldwide. The figures, from tracking at Johns Hopkins University, show a worldwide death toll of more than 215,000, though the real numbers are likely to be higher owing to limited testing and differences in counting deaths.
– Nearly 70 residents infected with coronavirus have died at a Massachusetts home for ageing veterans, as state and federal officials try to figure out what went wrong in the deadliest known outbreak at a long-term care facility in the US.
– Films released on streaming platforms only will be eligible for Academy Awards next year because of the pandemics disruption to the industry, the organisers of the Oscars have said.
– Hotels in Poland will be open for summer holidays, government spokesman Piotr Muller told state radio on Wednesday, while adding that coronavirus infections were still on the rise in the country. On Wednesday, the Polish government is set to announce its decision with regards to re-opening some businesses that were closed until now due to the pandemic.
– US vice president Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on Tuesday, an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical centre’s policy requiring them. Video feeds show Mr Pence did not wear a mask when he met with a Mayo employee who has recovered from Covid-19 and is now donating plasma, even though all other people in the room appeared to be wearing one.