Jobless claims total 3.2M, down from historic highs but still extreme
by Jay Heflin
| May 07, 2020 08:31 AM
The number of workers claiming unemployment benefits increased by 3.2 million last week, according to the Labor Department.
Economists had expected 3.1 million new jobless claims.
The number of weekly jobless claims dropped in every state last week except Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Mexico. The territory of Puerto Rico also saw an increase in jobless claims.
Thursday's number is roughly half of the historic 6.9 million claims made during the week ending March 28, but the number is still extremely high by historical standards. Prior to the coronavirus, the record high for weekly unemployment claims was 695,000 in 1982.
Since mid-March, more than 33 million jobless benefits have been claimed.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/jobless-claims-total-3-2m-down-from-historic-highs-but-still-extreme
