Unemployment Claims Unfortunately Break More Records

The unemployment picture in the United States has gotten a lot more grim, due to COVID-19 shock waves.

For the week ended March 28, unemployment claims hit 6.448 million, a new record since the numbers have been tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor. The previous record was hit on March 21, when it reached 3.283 million, at that point, the highest it had ever been. It far surpasses the previous record of 695,000 which took place in October of 1982.

In Missouri, claims hit 96,734, up from 42,246 the prior week. In Kansas they were at 54,739, rising from 23,563.

The insured adjusted insured unemployment rate for the week ended March 21 was at 2.1 percent, or just under 3.03 million. It is the highest since July 2013, when it was just under 3.08 million.