Initial unemployment insurance claimants by county and city weeks ending Jan. 16 over Jan. 9 change. Green shows a decrease of 1 to 50, yellow shows a decrease of 1 to 50 claimants and red shows an increase of claimants. Graphic courtesy Virginia Employme
Although the number of initial jobless claims filed last week dropped relative to the previous week, unemployment numbers remain high, according to figures released by the Virginia Employment Commission on Thursday.
During the week ending Jan. 16, 21,073 Virginians filed initial claims, a 25.3% decline from the previous week, which saw 28,227 people file new claims, the highest number since July 2020.
“Elevated levels in recent weeks may have, in part, reflected seasonal spikes in layoffs often seen after the holidays, as well as reapplications for benefits following the government’s renewal of supplemental benefits until March 14 as part of the latest stimulus package,” according to the VEC.
