Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl has issued a message of support to those "who have lost loved ones and those who are caring for the sick" after at least 22 members of the community died after contracting the Covid-19 virus.

Mrs van der Zyl described the Coronavirus outbreak as "a devastating national and international tragedy" and referring to the loss of the Jewish lives added "these figures show our community is not immune."

The JC understands that 22 deaths is the latest figure.

The Board President also urged the community to continue to follow Government guidelines and recognise that Jewish law stresses the fundamental importance of protecting life.

She said: "Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones and those who are caring for the sick.

"There is no higher value in Judaism than preserving life, so please, do everything you can to follow the Government’s guidelines and stay home unless you absolutely cannot.

"For our part at the Board of Deputies, we care about communities large and small and we are doing all we can to maximise the continuity of Jewish life through this process and ensure we can celebrate a happy and healthy Pesach.

"We will get through this, but it needs everyone to play their part."

By Tuesday the UK’s coronavirus death toll had risen to 422, with more than 8,000 patients known to have had the virus.

But scientists say the true figure is likely to be closer to the 400,000.