Community’s coronavirus death toll passes 600
New figures show 17 burials where the deceased contracted Covid-19 took place last week
More than 600 British Jews have now died from coronavirus.
The grim milestone was confirmed as the Board of Deputies released its weekly mortality figure.
This comes after after London was placed in strict Tier 4 restrictions on Saturday amid soaring cases and a new rapidly-spreading strain of the virus.
The figures, collated by the Board of Deputies with seven of the community’s largest burial boards, shows 17 burials took place in the week ending 18 December. This brings the number of Coronavirus-related deaths in the community to 616.
Last week, it was reported that there had been the biggest increase in deaths for seven months, with 20 funerals.
After last week’s figures were released, Board President Marie van der Zyl said it “recorded a larger increase in reported Covid-19 mortality in the Jewish community this week than in previous weeks.
“This may or may not be the start of a trend. However, as communities in London, Hertfordshire and Essex move into Tier 3 to join those such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Gateshead, it serves as a reminder that we should all be carefully adhering to Government guidance.”
Figures are collated with regional Jewish communities and the Jewish Small Communities Network, the Adass Yisroel Burial Society, Federation of Synagogues, Joint Jewish Burial Society, Liberal Judaism, The Spanish and Portuguese Sephardi Community, the United Synagogue, and Orthodox burial societies in Manchester.
In early December, first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine were distributed, with communal organisations encouraging the elderly and vulnerable to apply for it.
More than 60,000 have died nationally, with 1.7m million fatalities globally.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
