Five million more Americans seek unemployment benefits amid Covid-19 crisis

The Labor Department said 5.2 million new unemployment claims were filed last week, down from a slightly revised 6.6 million the week before

Another 5.2 million more Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, lifting total filings for claims over the past month above an astounding 20 million, which would underscore the deepening economic slump caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Labor Department on Thursday said 5.245 million new unemployment claims were filed last week, down from a slightly revised 6.615 million the week before.

 

According to a Reuters survey of economists, initial claims were expected to have fallen to 5.105 million in the week ended