Politics
UK inquiry finds government failures let Covid spread in care homes
October 20, 2026 at 12:58 PM · Updated 16h ago
Coverage
4 reports · over 7 hours
TGThe Guardian
The Guardian view on Covid-19 and care homes: the inquiry’s scathing verdict must be heeded | Editorial
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BNBBC News
Government failings allowed Covid 'to spread like wildfire' in care homes, inquiry finds
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BNBBC News
Covid failings in care homes: What the inquiry says
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TGThe Guardian
UK government failures led to Covid spreading ‘like wildfire’ in care homes, inquiry finds
(opens the publisher’s site)The Covid inquiry's sixth report has found government failures allowed Covid to spread "like wildfire" through UK care homes, where 43,000 residents died.
- The report, published Tuesday, found the care sector was treated as "an afterthought" with protection arriving "too late."
- More than 43,000 people died from Covid in UK care homes between March 2020 and July 2022.
- Hallett called the failure to advise isolating hospital patients discharged into care homes a "significant omission."
- Hallett rejected Hancock's claim that he threw a "protective ring" around care homes as "unfounded."
- The report also criticized a lack of PPE, harm from visiting restrictions, and unlawful 'do not resuscitate' orders in some care homes.
- Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government will provide a full response to the report's recommendations.
- The report recommended better pandemic planning, clearer responsibilities, new visitor guidance, and mandatory end-of-life training for care home staff.