Coronavirus: 3 local counties among worst for jobless claims

Preble, Greene and Miami counties have seen some of the largest increases in unemployment claims in state during the coronavirus crisis, with all three seeing claims climb 3,990% or higher, according to an analysis released this morning by Policy Matters Ohio.

Preble County’s increase in initial jobless claims led the state with a whopping 5,756% increase in the week ending March 21, compared to the week that ended March 14, the data show.

Greene County had the fourth largest increase in claims: They rose from 58 to 2,533, which was a spike of 4,267%.

Miami County, which ranked sixth, saw claims jump 3,990% to 1,677. Miami County had 41 claims in the week that ended March 14.

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Montgomery County’s claims climbed to 9,126, up from 256 the prior week (+3,565%); Warren County saw a 3,659% increase; and Butler County saw a 3,755% jump.

“Ohioans in all reaches of the state are already feeling the impact of the coronavirus recession,” said Policy Matters Ohio researcher Michael Shields. “This crisis has hit Ohio harder and faster because so many Ohioans have been living on the brink for so long.”

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