Alexandria’s initial unemployment claims just ballooned 108%

Alexandria’s initial (first-time) unemployment claims ballooned 108% for the week ending March 20, while continued claims increased just 4% over the previous week.

There were 1,478 initial claims for the week ending March 20, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. Thats the largest number of the year, eclipsing the 709 claims for the week ending March 13 and the 440 claims from the week ending March 6.

There were also 1,315 continued claims for the week ending March 20, which was a slight increase from the 1,262 claims the previous week, and still 16% less than the 1,529 continued claims for the week ending March 6.

The week ending March 20 is the 53rd since the pandemic began in Virginia. Statewide, initial claims in Virginia rose 13% to 17,560, and continued claims fell 3% to 58,233.

Looking for work? The Alexandria Workforce Development Center hosts weekly workshops, and there are a number of job openings with the city.

Learn more about filing a weekly or continued claim here.

If you have been recently laid off or you're looking to change careers, upgrade your skills through SkillUp®️ Alexandria & Arlington, which offers free, unlimited access to more than 5,000 online training courses in English and Spanish. Learn more at https://t.co/4t3P07EDeM. pic.twitter.com/l71YjKSQZt

— DCHS Alexandria, VA (@DCHS_AlexVA) March 24, 2021