Politics & Government
COVID-19 triggers 843 percent spike in Washington jobless claims
The number of new claims for unemployment benefits by Washington residents last week increased by 119,310 over the previous week, according to figures released Thursday by the state Employment Security Department.
For the week ending March 21, the state Employment Security Department received 133,464 new claims -- an 843 percent increase.
The highest spikes in claims included Pierce County, where new claims filed increased from 1,559 to 14,730 — an 845 percent increase from the week before.
In Whatcom County, there were 4,428 claims -- an increase of 4,190 from the week before, a 1,760 per cent increase.
There were 4,708 claims in Thurston County -- an increase of 4,357, a 1,241 per cent increase.
In Benton County, there were 3,014 claims -- an increase of 2,807, a 1,356 per cent increase. There were 1,104 claims in Franklin County, -- an increase of 909, a 466 per cent increase.
“This data shows the enormity of the situation unfolding in our state,” the agency’s Commissioner, Suzi LeVine, said in a written statement. “The velocity and volume of the impact of COVID-19 has created a crisis that is unprecedented in the history of the program – going back to the 1930s when it was established.
“To address this, I have an amazing team working hard on three very clear priorities: get benefits out more quickly to those who are eligible, expand eligibility for those who can utilize this benefit, and help employers find staff for essential jobs. The entire department is doing everything we can to meet the needs of this situation and our fellow Washingtonians,” she said.
The spike in claims comes as the state has used increasingly restrictive measures to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, which had killed 132 and infected 2,580 as of Thursday, according to information posted by the state Department of Health. The state’s database did not reflect the second COVID-19 death in Pierce County, which was registered Wednesday. Adding in that death would make the state’s death total at 133.
Industry sectors experiencing the highest percentage of new claims during March 15-21 were:
- Accommodation and food services: 41,309 new claims, up 1,033 percent from the previous week
- Health care and social assistance: 18,902 new claims, up 2,103 percent from the previous week
- Other services: 9,626 new claims, up 2,871 percent from the previous week
- Retail trade: 8,700 new claims, up 1,189 percent from the previous week
- Manufacturing: 5,276 new claims, up 434 percent from the previous week
On March 15, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that restaurants, bars, and entertainment and recreational facilities would be shut down statewide to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The directive took effect at 12:01 a.m. March 17. Restaurants continue to be allowed to offer delivery and take-home service.
Inslee on Monday evening ordered most of Washington’s 7.5 million residents to stay home for at least two weeks. The exceptions to the directive are if people are pursuing an essential activity such as shopping for groceries or going to a doctor’s appointment or the pharmacy.
Nationwide, unemployment claims soared to 3.3 million last week — more than four times the previous record set in 1982, the Associated Press reported.
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