It’s the lowest number since the pandemic first was truly felt in Ohio and the nation in mid-March.
The previous week’s level of claims was revised up by 6,000 from 751,000 to 757,000, however.
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits through their state governments dropped nationally to 6.8 million for the week ended Oct. 31 from 7.2 million.
Ongoing claims are well below their levels from late March, a sign that fewer workers are being laid off and some are finding jobs, even as COVID-19 cases climb nationally and in Ohio.
Across the country, the number of new U.S. cases rose above144,000, a new national record, while in Ohio in the past week, there have been 37,147 new cases. In the past three weeks, Ohio has seen more than 79,000 new cases, which accounts for nearly 30% of the cumulative 267,356 cases across the state since the beginning of the pandemic.
On Wednesday evening, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he may close bars, restaurants and fitness centers if current trends continue — a step he may take as early as next Wednesday.
Because Veterans Day was recognized on Wednesday, states will report their jobless claims numbers to the U.S. Department of Labor a day later than usual. As a consequence, the announcement of Ohio’s weekly initial and continued jobless claims statistics will be pushed back a day to Friday
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