DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - More than 58,000 people filed unemployment claims in Iowa last week as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus took a toll on the state’s economy, according to figures released Thursday.
Iowa Workforce Development reported there were 58,453 claims for unemployment insurance filed last week. The figures came after a surge of nearly 42,000 claims last week. Before the virus hit Iowa’s job market, jobless claims typically were around 2,200 a week.
Nationally, more than 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to the Labor Department.
The largest number of Iowa claims were from workers in accommodation and food service businesses, which saw 12,519 people seek benefits.
Like governors across the country, Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered the closure of many retail establishments and recommended the closure of schools.
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