After reaching a high of 2,578 unemployment claims in Alexandria on April 4, the number of new unemployment claims has been gradually dwindling over the last few weeks and reached 454 new claims for the week of June 6 — the lowest since the pandemic started.
New claims are still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. For comparison, there were 33 new unemployment claims the week before the pandemic hit.
Claims are expected to continue decreasing as the second phase of reopening starts to see more restaurants, fitness centers, and other local businesses start to reopen.
Alexandria still has more new unemployment claims than Arlington, which sits at 417 new claims, despite having a smaller population. Neighboring Fairfax County has had a gradual decline in new claims as well, but still had 2,745 new claims filed last week.
Virginia employment commission releases updated data on unemployment insurance claims, payments. Top reasons outlined why unemployment benefits payments are delayed or denied, and provide an overview of the latest numbers of claims filed and paid. https://t.co/WbWA4OUpOl
— Virginia Employment Commission (@vaemploy) June 11, 2020
Staff photo by James Cullum
