Hackney Council has voiced concern at the rise in Covid-19 cases among the over-65s in wards with a significant Jewish population.

Incidence of infection rose to 930 per 100,000 people in Stamford Hill West, 762 per 100,000 in Springfield and 387 per 100,000 in Cazenove, compared to a borough average of 140 for people in that age group, according to the council’s latest weekly statistics in mid-October.

Chris Kennedy, Hackney’s cabinet member for health, adults and leisure said: "We are really worried about the rise in positive cases of coronavirus in the over-65s, as these people are more at risk of hospitalisation and severe illness. We have even seen our first deaths from Covid-19 since August. 

“This is becoming an issue mainly in Springfield, Stamford Hill West and Cazenove, where we have seen the infection level rising since the summer. That this is now starting to infect older people is deeply concerning."

The council would be doing localised communication to remind residents of guidelines and was working to get more testing, he added.

There is no breakdown measuring the specific impact on the Jewish community.

In Barnet, Golders Green ward recorded the second highest incidence in the borough with 220 cases per 100,000 people in all age groups, compared to the borough average of 131 per 100,000 for the week ending October 24.

The Board of Deputies reported that by the end of last week, the UK Jewish death toll from coronavirus had climbed to 534. This was eight more than the previous week, although three regional funerals may have taken place earlier.