The Jewish community’s Covid-19 death toll topped more than 1,000 since the pandemic first struck.

The Board of Deputies reported on Tuesday six Jewish burials as of last week, bringing the total to 1,002 deaths. 

Announcing the latest figures, Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl spoke of a “sombre milestone.”

She added, “Every death is a tragedy and few if any of us have been untouched by this pandemic. It is my earnest hope that we will be soon able to create a proper memorial to those who died. In future years, while we carry on with our lives, we must never forget those whom we lost in the worst health crisis of any of our lifetimes. May their memories be for a blessing.”

The Board collates the figures in conjunction with burial boards, regional Jewish communities and the Jewish Small Communities Network.