and clapping. it's eight o'clock on thursday evening wonderful applause from staff at the nhs national distribution center. for the eighth week ina distribution center. for the eighth week in a row millions are out in the streets to show support and appreciation for nhs staff key workers and our carers. in a moment we will hear from the woman who started it all. clapping.

we arejoined here in south london with the person who came up with the cla p with the person who came up with the clap for carers every thursday. how did you get this idea? being

inspired from what i saw back in the netherlands and it was happening in spain and italy if the dutch can do it than the brits can deftly do it to. when not we are as passionate as italy and spanish people are. you came up with this idea, you told a few friends and now it's every thursday event. how proud aren't you of the british for taking part in this? yeah, very proud. it shows how much this nation can unite and be one. we are alljust together in this. congratulations and thank you very, very much. thank you. to the royal sorry hospital where medics, doctors and nurses have come out on the screen to say thank you to one another. for working during this incredibly challenging time. the building behind me is the intensive ca re building behind me is the intensive care unit. if you look inside the

windows that you can see staff in their ppe clapping, showing appreciation for when another. we have the emergency services here, staff tell me they are incredibly grateful to them for working as well during this time. eight weeks and energy levels are still high and they are not going to stop showing their gratitude. good evening from a beautiful bristol for the sun is shining and people have been out enjoying a stroll here with the lockdown rules have been eased a bit. they've been walking but they are stopping at eight o'clock to cla p are stopping at eight o'clock to clap and a prod the emergency services. not just here clap and a prod the emergency services. notjust here in the marina but in the distance you can hear them. the clapping echoing across the water. we have pots, we have pans we have boards. and

tearing for medical staff and hospital which is only a half a mile away. i am sure they can hear his hair from bristol harbour away. i am sure they can hear his hairfrom bristol harbour side tonight. clapping clapping yay xbox wonderful scenes

right across the uk. for two months now we have been applauding the tireless efforts of all the uk's workers on a key workers carers through this crisis. they definitely deserve it. view isjoining us in the uk hello and welcome to bbc outside source. our main focus here in the uk is on antibodies. the, england has now become the latest country to approve the use of a blood test that can tell whether or not we have had they corrode a virus, the antibody test is been developed by the swiss drug company roche and has been approved by the european union and also the united states. health experts can use the test to work out just states. health experts can use the test to work outjust how many people in the country have been affected. and whether those people have any immunity to the disease is still an open question. it's what

millions of britons want to know. have they already had coronavirus? now it's possible to find out for sure. with a blood test. it has to go through lab analysis. this can be done by hand like here at imperial couege done by hand like here at imperial college london or in an automated process like the new highly accurate antibody test approved the use in the uk. if you get infected with the coronavirus your body support meet the eight antibodies. if you get exposed to the virus again they should attack it. but how much protection they will give and how long that immunity will last is unclear. for some coronavirus as we know that protection can fade and we know that protection can fade and we know from experience many years ago that it's possible re—infecting individuals with the same coronavirus maybe a year later. even though they developed antibodies to start with. and so we have to be

careful to assume that any antibody will last a long time. russia says it can provide hundreds and thousands of antibody test to the uk each week. pharmacies and health clinics could be involved in collecting blood samples. clinics could be involved in collecting blood sampleslj anticipate that it will be rapidly rolled out in the days and weeks to come. as soon as it is practical to do so. i also anticipate that the focus will be on the national health service and on carers in the first instance. there are several other types of antibody test which only require a fingerprint of blood. some of which are being trialed by nhs staff. despite buying three and half million of them the government concluded none was accurate enough this is another way of testing for antibodies. you prick your thumb and then apply a blood spot which is

sent out to labarbera torrey first very sophisticated analysis. that dry spot blood test is being developed in imperial college london. it's planning to send out 100,000 home testing antibody kits once they are proven to be accurate and easy to use. a swell goes right to the back of the throat both sides by your tonsils. remember it's a swa b test by your tonsils. remember it's a swab test like this which will show if you are currently infected with coronavirus. so this remains crucial in preventing the spread of the virus. fergus falls, bbc news. the uk government has been defending its comittments to protecting people in residential care homes for the elderly in england. around a quarter of all known coronavirus deaths in britain have happened in care homes. ros atkins has been looking at this issue. thank you very much indeed well these statistics and care homes in

england our stock. thousands have died, tens of thousands of people have been infected by covid—19, and while the human cost is indisputable the reasons for this tragedy are increasingly the front line in the battle over where blame should live for the uk's exceptionally high coronavirus death toll. as you can see here the widely used johns hopkins university virus tracker lists over 33,000 deaths in the uk it's the second highest in the world. should note that the uk government has recently started to question the validity of country comparisons. the story of the care home crisis goes back to march. during that month the uk's overall covid—19 fleet not covid—19 cases went to 112/20 covid—19 fleet not covid—19 cases went to 42/20 5000. covid—19 fleet not covid—19 cases went to 112/20 5000. also in march we know that some patients were discharged from english patient hospitals into care homes without a test for the virus. question is, why did that happen? and in addition didn't contribute to the national

surge in infections? you may have seen surge in infections? you may have seen this recent daily telegraph article which quotes e—mail from a london doctor who writes, we discharged known suspected unknown cases into care homes which were unprepared with no formal warming the patient was infected, no testing available and no ppe to prevent transmission. we actively seeded this into the very population that was most vulnerable. now, the nhs just like mechanized people who discharge positive into carols. and the uk government has both consistently defended its care homes. and denies any suggestion that it deliberately didn't allowed the virus just by. questions were raised on march the 13th when the uk chief i fleet neck scientific officer said this, our aim chief i fleet neck scientific officersaid this, ouraim is chief i fleet neck scientific officer said this, our aim is not to suppress it completely. also because most people, the vast majority of people get mild illness to build up some degree of herd immunity as well. so that more people are immune

to this disease and we reduce the transmission at the same time we protect those who are most vulnerable from it. well that because a huge roar of the atlantic magazine called it as you can see in this headline, herd immunity debacle. in the day after that interview health minister wrote an article in which he said, we have a plan, herd immunity is not part of it. our goal is to protect life from this virus, our strategy is to protect the most vulnerable. there can be no dispute though, that three important things did happen in march. first of all, the uk abandon any march. first of all, the uk abandon a ny efforts march. first of all, the uk abandon any efforts to test track and trace the virus was up that approach has proved very effective for south korea and in germany too. boris johnson recently that transmission among individuals in the uk exceeded our capacity. in other words, among individuals in the uk exceeded our capacity. in otherwords, in march for whatever reasons the uk just didn't have the test to do this. the second thing is the uk

locked out later many of its european neighbors. on march the 12th chief scientific adviser said, if you tell people to stay at home too early they get fed up with this at the very point where you need them to stay at home. while many people question his reasoning but for right or wrong in for a range of recent the uk decided to lockdown on march the 23rd. after many other countries had done so. the third thing is, we know that there were patients moving into care homes without test. the senior figure from the health service in england has said there was no instruction to systematically test everything the patient due for discharge into social care until the 15th of april. so in march we have a situation where a test, track and trace is not a goal, where the lockdown policy is out of sync with many other countries and where there was no instruction to test everyone being discharge into a care home. now, as i been saying, the government has defended its decision throughout but

questions it continued to be asked. this was the house of commons yesterday. on sunday the prime minister said that we need to rapidly reverse the awful epidemic in ourcare rapidly reverse the awful epidemic in our care homes. but earlier this year and until the 12th of march the governments owi'i year and until the 12th of march the governments own official advice was i'm quoting from it, it remains very unlikely the people receiving care ina care unlikely the people receiving care in a care home will become infected. yesterday's ons figures show that at least 40% of all deaths from covid—19 were in care homes. does the prime minister except that the government was too slow to protect people and care homes? five minutes. no, mr speaker it wasn't true that the advice said that. actually, we brought the lockdown in care homes ahead of the general lockdown. but the advice referred to by keir

starmer it was the governments advise until it was withdrawn in mid—march. at that point it had become clear that the assumption that the virus was not spreading widely in the community was incorrect. so for a time in early march the virus had been spreading in care homes when the government advice was that it wouldn't be. we can't know the impact of all of these factors, it's too soon. but we do know that this was a sector that was already under extreme pressure. here is the bbc social affairs correspondent, i think what this is don shined a light on the system that was already under huge pressure. it was already in crisis. and in the most upsetting way coronavirus has made the case, displayed the need for reform which is talked about for such a long time. well this week they government has reiterated its commitment to protecting those in care homes in england. today it was asked about theissue england. today it was asked about the issue at the daily briefing. the

vast majority of care homes covered night delete not covid—19 hasn't been reported at all. however it certainly is the case when you've seen certainly is the case when you've seen these figures from the who who say that your as a whole however, it certainly is the case, and we have seen these figures from the who, who say that in europe as a whole, over 50% of deaths have taken place in care homes, not so in english care homes. along with alison holt, another bbcjournalist who's looked at this issue in detail in the lewis goodall from newsnight. i asked him to record what he thinks the government's biggest challenges are in tackling the care home crisis. british government has got some really big decisions to make, both short and long term, with regards to social care. in the short term, it's got to try and get control of the outbreak of the disease in british care homes. it is so severe there, it is so profound that it's pushing the overall r rate for the country up. so it's all about ppe, it's all about sick pay for carers, because some are going in even when they are asymptomatic, it's all about assuring you are not getting covid positive patients

being discharged from hospitals to homes, which has been happening too much. long—term, it's all about the structural solutions, the british care model has effectively been victorian for a long time. it's been a neglected second child of the british welfare state, the government of all colours have ignored it because of money, but if they don't sort it out quickly and soon, we could be here very soon, all over again when a new crisis hits. do follow lewis and alison holt on twitter for their reporting on care homes. and there's more background on this part of the covid—19 outbreak in the uk on the bbc news website. as you know that the website is bbc news/ news. thank you so much roz. brilliant reporting. we will see you in the next edition do stay with us still to come on this addition we take a look at the world's largest refugee camp, cox's bazar in bangladesh — which has reported its first cases of covid—19.

the swearing in of israel's new unity government has been postponed until sunday. it's the latest twist in a political standoff that's lasted more than a year. here's yolande knell. benjamin netanyahu remains prime minister despite many charges. at the three inconclusive elections in the three inconclusive elections in the air. the coronavirus certainly played a role by creating a feeling of emergency, a feeling that politics need to be relegated to a back seat. last week israel's high court ruled mr netanyahu could lead a new government while he is on trial. and it didn't block the power—sharing deal that will seat mr gantz become prime minister in 18 months. some israelis are outraged on both counts. they'vejoined large

protests keeping to social distancing rules. but others are glad to avoid yet another election. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. in the uk hello and welcome to bbc the chair of the influential senate intelligence committee richard burr is stepping down while he's investigated for alleged insider trading during the coronavirus pandemic. donald trump has dismissed the whistle—blower, who used to head the us agency researching a vaccine for covid—19, as a disgruntled former employee. rick bright has told congress he was ousted from his job for questioning the president's touting of an anti—malaria drug as a potential treatment. here's dr bright.

i believe part of the removal process for me was because of a pushback that i gave when they asked me to put in place and expanded access protocol that would make chloroquine more freely delete neck available to americans that were not under the close supervision of a physician and may not even be confirmed to be effective with the coronavirus pulled up when i spoke outside of our government he shared my concerns for the american public. that i believe was ace draw the camels back. and it escalated my removal. here's president trump speaking earlier. i don't know him i never met him, i don't want to meet him but i watched him he looked like an angry, disgruntled employee. people didn't doa very disgruntled employee. people didn't do a very good job. people didn't do a very good job. the united states is the epicentre of the pandemic. there are more than 1.4 million cases of coronavirus in the us and nearly 85,000 people have died from covid—19, by far the highest

number in the world. here's gary o'donoghue on dr bright's testimony at congress. a lot of his criticisms directed particularly at his bosses for the department of health and human services talking about the warnings that he issued them notjust on swa bs that he issued them notjust on swabs but on and 95 mask, i'm getting samples of the vaccine from china early enough. he said effectively the whole process of getting the country back to normal and needless deaths will have happened because of those delays. he was also one of those people pushing back on the presidents fetish if you like, with hydroxychloroquine which the president was pushing for a long time, people should take it, what if you got to lose if you remember the president said. he said, rick bright there was no safety evaluations done of that and that it wasn't something he would support. and as a result of

pushback from things like that he was getting frozen out of meetings. and he was a senior official at hhs. and he was a senior official at hhs. and in charge of much of that vaccine development issues was up he was eventually fired from the job. thanks to gary for talking us us through that. the first cases of coronavirus have reached the world's largest refugee camp, in cox's bazar, bangladesh. the camps are home to more than 800 thousand rohingyas, who fled persecution in myanmar. officials are now trying to trace anyone who might have come into contact with those who have the virus. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidya nathan reports. for weeks, the world's largest refugee camp's been in lockdown. now, the news they been dreading — coronavirus has officially arrived. officials say two cases were identified in the camps one rohingya refugee and a local bangladeshi. both were taken to a nearby health facility.

for the refugees who live in the cramped and congested dwellings where social distancing is tough, there's fear. translation: we are very afraid of coronavirus. the camps are crowded. i'm worried that many people could die from covid—19. health care facilities in the camps are basic, with no ventilators. charities are expecting the number of cases to skyrocket. it's very difficult to say but, given the cramped hygiene and the slow testing that we have, it could be anywhere in the thousands, hundreds, and it is very likely we will see an explosion in cases in the camps in the coming days. officials are currently trying to trace hundreds of others who may have come into contact with the two confirmed cases. the rohingya, who fled persecution in myanmar, now face a new deadly threat in the form of coronavirus. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news.

lets move to another vulnerable part of the world yemen there are reports of a dramatic rise in the number of people dying with coronavirus—like symptoms in the southern city of aden. citing official figures, the save the children says there have been at least 380 deaths in the past week. according to the charity, some health professionals lacking personal protective equipment were refusing to go to work. several hospitals have closed, and people are dying because they can't get treatment. turning now to new zealand, where people have been getting a sense of what it's like to get back to business as lockdown there is lifted. thousands of firms have re—opened, with shops and restaurants welcoming customers for the first time since march. although the risk of transmission is now said to be very small, people are still being urged to follow strict social distancing rules. while new zealand has been praised for its decisive action on coronovirus,

the government is facing criticism over a new law which gives police greater powers to arrest those breaking social distancing rules. here's new zealand journalist briony sowden. the law was rushed through on wednesday before the restrictions we re wednesday before the restrictions were eased around the country. what it means is that these lockdowns, the quarantines, it means is that these lockdowns, the quara ntines, police it means is that these lockdowns, the quarantines, police given fines for social distancing rules, that can continue but with more ease. and the biggest thing and the biggest change is that police will be out into peoples homes if they have significant reason or grounds to believe that people are breaking the rules. what that means in practice is that if you are having a party or there is loud music you can probably expect police at your door without an arrest warrant. the other big thing is that the health minister can now effectively designate any government employee or enforcement officer which means they can go into

businesses and checked that businesses and checked that businesses too are complying with the social distancing rules and if not they can be shut down too. there has been a lot of criticism, many believe that this infringes on peoples several liberties, the oppositions has called it a stick to plan amnesty international also has urged the government to read look at this law and to review it in the coming weeks. lets turn to france — which has announced a nineteen—billion dollar package to support the tourism industry over the coming years. with 95 percent of hotels closed, the government says it will extend the current furlough scheme until at least the end of september. the government has promised french people they'll still be able to go on holiday in france in the summer months. and what do you make of this, as an attempt to maintain social distancing? this is a cafe in germany, just outside of hamburg. the cafe's owners are asking customers to wear swimming noodles on their heads. this was posted on the cafe's facebook page.

gimmick or a practical idea? our hashtag is bbc os... don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm @bbckasiamadera hello it may have turned into a pleasa nt hello it may have turned into a pleasant afternoon out there but it was a chilly start for the time of year this morning. here is one of our weather watchers in derbyshire but it was a chilly start for the time of year this morning. here is one of our weather watchers in derbyshire, making a statement about the frosty ice and of course the date. and there will be a touch of frost in places again tonight, but, things are changing. we're in the blue, the chilly air for the time of year at the moment, the air coming down from the north or the northwest, but a gradual change to the air beginning to gin from the south, to edge in from the south, and temperatures heading up over the weekend, not with sunshine everywhere, there will be a bit of rain in some spots, but not for everyone if you do want it on the garden.

we have had a few showers today, and so we will continue overnight across particularly the northern half of scotland, the odd one to northern ireland, maybe a rouge one pushing into northwestern parts of england. now, for many of us, temperatures are a bit tired tonight, but through particularly wales and the southern half of england, it's staying clearest for longest overnight. this is where temperatures will get close to freezing with a touch of frost in the coldest spots. starting with some sunshine perhaps tomorrow, but the cloud will increase, and it will be a cloudier day across much of the uk tomorrow, particularly into england and wales. some cloud, some sunny spells for northern ireland and scotland, a chance of a shower, more especially again across the northern half of scotland, but you may see one in northwest england, in wales, and temperatures are a little bit higher, 17 for cardiff and for london. high pressure has kept many of us dry this week, that's now, into the weekend, being squeezed away southwards. weather front is beginning to get closer from the atlantic, more especially by sunday. now, for saturday, pretty much as you were. still a few showers running into especially the northern half of scotland, one or two per northern ireland, much of england and wales will stay dry, some cloud, some sunny spells around,

and temperatures around about the mid teens. for part two of the weekend on sunday, that's when those weather fronts i showed you start to come into play. and not for everyone, so if you do want to rain, it really is just towards northern ireland and scotland, and particularly western scotland will see that rain moving in. you may see some towards northwest england, that's not yet guaranteed. again, much of england and wales will stay dry, there will be some hazy sunshine, and temperatures edging up a bit. where you do get to see some sunshine, temperatures will more widely be heading up into next week.

this is bbc world news, the headlines. a former top us vaccine official has warned that america could be facing its darkest winter in decades — unless it develops a better plan to fight coronavirus. rick bright told congress that failing to improve the strategy would result in unprecedented illness and death. the republican chairman of the us senate intelligence committee is stepping down from his role while he's investigated for alleged insider trading. richard burr is accused of using inside information to sell shares before markets plunged over coronavirus concerns. the first known cases of coronavirus have reached the world's largest refugee camp, cox's bazar in bangladesh. the settlements are home to more than 800 thousand rohingyas, who fled persecution in myanmar. doctors have raised concerns about a new inflammatory disease affecting children — possibly linked to coronavirus. dozens of children in the us, uk and italy have now been treated