Sunderland daughter joins calls for public inquiry into government's handling of coronavirus after her mother died of illness in care home

Sylvia Griffiths died suddenly on April 12 in a Sunderland care home and her grieving family were told she could have lost her life to Covid-19.

Now her daughter, Deborah Doyle, is among 200 families who have tragically lost loved ones calling for a public inquiry to ensure the Government’s actions are scrutinised.

The 52-year-old told the Echo she had initially received a call from her mum’s care home telling her the 76-year-old great-grandmother was breathless.

Having been prescribed antibiotics, Ms Griffiths, who did have some underlying health conditions including being prone to blood clotting, initially began to show signs of recovery but died suddenly days later.

“There is a lot of uncertainty because my mum couldn’t receive a test,” said Deborah, who has lived in Sunderland for 30 years. “The death certificate states possible Covid-19. This affected the funeral arrangements, you’re not allowed to see your loved ones.

“She’s treated as a Covid-19 death but my question is why wasn’t there a test in place at that point?”