Applause, the unifying symbol of Covid-19

Applause has become a unifying symbol of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain and other European countries. People go out onto their balconies in a sign of appreciation to the doctors, nurses and other hospital workers, as well as the police, military and other sectors who are in the front line of the crisis every evening at 8pm. At the same time, health workers who are able to take time out of their jobs stand outside hospitals to acknowledge and join in.

In Malaga the first person to be admitted to intensive care at the Hospital Regional de Málaga with coronavirus left the unit on Monday to applause from the doctors and nurses who looked after her for over a month.

The 55-year-old woman, who was admitted on 9 March, will continue her recovery in one of the hospital's wards until she is well enough to go home.

Thanks from the fire brigade

Fire officers joined in the show of appreciation on Saturday evening by driving past Malaga's Carlos Haya hospital with banners along the sides of fire engines which read, "Thank you for looking after us."

It has become a common sight and sound in the province for police cars to stop outside hospitals at 8pm every evening to join in with the applause.