The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life, but for many it has resulted in job loss.
The U.S. has experienced more new unemployment claims last week than the previous week, according to Wallet Hub. Wallet Hub's data shows that some places didn't follow the national trend, though, with claims lower than in 2019, including Kentucky and the District of Columbia.
There are currently 10.7 million Americans unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in total, Wallet Hub says. Last week, there were 965,000 new unemployment claims nationwide, compared to 6.9 million during the peak of the pandemic (an 86% reduction).
Virginia ranked 5th for highest unemployment claims made in the U.S. for the first week in 2021 versus last year. 31,095 claims were made the week of January 4, 2021 compared to the week of January 1, 2020 with 3,188 claims.
Virginia also ranked 6th in the highest unemployment claims made last week in the United States compared to 2019. According to data provided by Wallet Hub, there were 31,095 claims made the week of January 4 versus 4,780 the week of January 7, 2019.
The Commonwealth also ranked 6th for highest claims made in the nation since the start of the pandemic compared to last year.
Change in Virginia Weekly Unemployment Claims (1=Biggest Increase, 25=Avg.):
- 550.52% Change in Unemployment Claims (Latest Week vs 2019)
- 31,095 the week of January 4, 2021 vs 4,780 the week of January 7, 2019
- 6th biggest increase in the U.S.
- 875.38% Change in Unemployment Claims (Latest Week vs Start of 2020)
- 31,095 the week of January 4, 2021 vs 3,188 the week of January 1, 2020
- 5th biggest increase in the U.S.
- 1,239.87% Change in Unemployment Claims (Since Start of COVID-19 Crisis vs Previous Year)
- 1,371,207 between the week of March 16, 2020 and the week of January 4, 2021 vs 110,593 between the week of March 18, 2019 and the week of January 6, 2020
- 6th biggest increase in the U.S.
