Record 6.6 million file jobless claims as coronavirus grips economy
By Niv Elis - 04/02/20 08:33 AM EDT
An unprecedented 6.6 million people filed unemployment claims in the last week of March, meaning 10 million people have now filed for jobless claims since the coronavirus pandemic ripped through the country, shattering the economy.
A total of 6,648,000 people filed initial unemployment claims for the week ending March 28, more than double the the roughly 3.3 million seasonally adjusted initial claims the previous week. Until that point, the highest level on record was 695,000 in October of 1982.
The shocking figures underscore the breadth of the pain to the economy caused by the coronavirus outbreak, which has shuttered thousands of businesses in the country as people practice social distancing guidelines.
more
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/490757-unemployment-claims-hit-record-as-coronavirus-grips-us-economy
