Economy

Another 2.4 Million Workers File For Jobless Claims

Almost 39 million workers are now out a job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another 2.4 Million Workers File For Jobless Claims
AP Images

For the ninth week in a row, millions of Americans filed jobless claims as the economy continues to reel from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Data from the Labor Department shows 2.4 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week. That puts the total near 39 million since mid-March. 

The good news is the report demonstrates a continued decline in weekly claims since peaking near the end of March. And with the exception of just a few states, most are seeing claims fall by 20% each week according to investment bank UBS. 

But some economists worry that we won’t see weekly jobless claims fall below the 1 million mark as soon as initially thought. And most government officials estimate the unemployment rate will reach at least 20%.