Summary
The final hearings of the Covid inquiry in the UK included emotional testimonies from families affected by the pandemic. Witnesses shared stories of losing loved ones to Covid-19 and the impact of restrictions on their ability to say goodbye. The inquiry examined the effects of the pandemic on society and gathered evidence from various individuals, leading to significant spending.
Key Facts
- Rivka Gottlieb shared her experience of her father, Michael, dying alone in a hospital during the Covid pandemic.
- Michael Gottlieb was admitted to the hospital in March 2020 with Covid symptoms alongside his wife, Milli.
- The Covid inquiry heard its final evidence this week, with emotional testimonies from bereaved families.
- The inquiry has been ongoing since June 2023, collecting evidence from 381 witnesses and reviewing over 600,000 documents.
- More than 227,000 people in the UK had Covid mentioned on their death certificates between March 2020 and May 2023.
- The inquiry has already cost £204 million, with additional government spending on legal and staffing fees.
- Testimonies highlighted the pain caused by restrictions, including limited funeral attendance and social distancing.
- The inquiry examined the broader societal impacts of the pandemic, including effects on vulnerable groups and mental health.
