Thread by @BBCNewsnight

The UK has become the first country in Europe to pass 30,000 coronavirus deaths.

Over the last few weeks, #Newsnight has been examining the effect of coronavirus on care homes - where the prime minister has said an epidemic is taking place.

Here's what we know

THREAD 👇

On March 10th, before lockdown began, #Newsnight's UK Editor @KatieRazz visited a care home in Blackpool to see what preparations were being made to combat #Covid19.

Staff warned that self-isolation wasn't possible for vulnerable residents

WATCH 📺bbc.in/2WcN0dB

The impact of #Covid19 on care homes has been apparent for weeks.

On April 2, @Lewis_goodall reported the virus was spreading "like wildfire" & was told by an assistant care home manager the way the elderly were treated was "disgusting"

#Newsnight

Last week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced all care home residents and staff in England would be able to access tests, regardless of whether they had symptoms. bbc.in/2WcO4zq

Follow updates: bbc.in/35Ex205 

#Newsnight

On Tuesday, Policy Editor @lewis_goodall reported that 5.8% of the residential care home population in England and Wales had died in the last month.

As he told @maitlis, we would normally expect that figure to be at 2.3%.

WATCH 👇

#Newsnight | #Covid19

The PM says he "bitterly regrets" the #Covid19 crisis in care homes, and that the govt was "working very hard" to tackle it.

But care home deaths apparently continue to rise. One factor is thought to be how some care workers are employed.

👉bbc.in/2YFTgx8

#Newsnight

#Newsnight will continue to report on the impact of #coronavirus in care homes and across the country.

You can follow our coverage here:

📺 iPlayer: bbc.in/3aPkYtK
💻 YouTube: bbc.in/35hYwZ3 
👍 Facebook: bbc.in/3cZiH0y