About two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some unintentionally gave HIV to their partners.
Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
It is difficult to know the exact number of people infected with hepatitis C, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear.
A second group of patients were given contaminated blood transfusions after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991.
The inquiry estimates between 80 and 100 of these people were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with hepatitis C.
In total, it is thought about 2,900 people have died.
This article was originally published at www.bbc.co.uk
