A CORONER has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to begin a public inquiry into the pandemic after its conclusion that it still remains “unclear” how a pregnant nurse contracted COVID-19 before her death.

Mary Agyapong died after giving birth in April last year at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, where she also worked.

Her husband, Mr Boateng, told the inquest into her death that he strongly believed Ms Agyapong caught the virus at work. 

The coroner concluded that the 28-year-old died of multiple organ failure and COVID-19.

Coroner Emma Whitting said: “As a society, it is important that we learn from all of the lives that have been lost as a result of this terrible pandemic and consider the wider policy implications that may be lost from each and every one of these.

“Since this is a process which goes far beyond a coroner’s inquest and the Prime Minister has indicated his intention to hold a full public inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge him to proceed with this as soon as practicable.”

The inquest held in Ampthill in Bedfordshire heard that Ms Agyapong worked up until she was signed off with back problems on March 12 and was admitted to hospital with breathing problems on April 5 – she was discharged the same day.

Dr William Manning, who assessed the nurse on her admission, said he “suspected she had COVID-19″ but sent her home as she did not require oxygen therapy despite not appearing to be “particularly happy to go home.” 

Just two days later she was readmitted with advanced COVID symptoms and surgeons were forced to deliver her baby – also named Mary – by caesarean section on 7 April.

Ms Agyapong was transferred to intensive care the following day, where she later died on April 12.

Mr Boateng told the inquest the mother-of-two felt pressured to work despite being “very concerned about the situation involving COVID-19” and would shower as soon as she returned from work.

She also began sleeping in the spare room to protect him and their son.

He described her passing as the “hardest pain to bear.”

Delivering a narrative conclusion, the coroner said: “The deceased died after contracting COVID-19, but it remains unclear where and when her exposure to the virus had occurred.”

David Carter, chief executive of the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, called Ms Agyapong a “fantastic nurse” who was “highly valued”.

“We are reassured that the coroner has found no areas of concern regarding our support for, or care of Mary, and I would like to pay tribute to our staff who did everything they could for Mary in hugely challenging circumstances,” he said.