Spain health workers pause for daily applause

Doctors, nurses and police officers in Spain participated in a round of applause on Saturday in solidarity with those involved in fighting the coronavirus.

Outside hospitals in Madrid and Sabadell, police and firefighters cheered on health workers at 8pm local time before they eventually returned to work.

The ritual, which takes place every day, came as the country's health ministry confirmed 832 deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,690.

Spain, along with Italy, has seen the highest death toll in the world, with more than 15,000 between them.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.