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US Unemployment Benefit Claims Jump as Coronavirus Surges

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - U.S. unemployment benefit claims jumped sharply last week,
   the Labor Department reported Thursday, as the surging number of
   coronavirus cases restricts many businesses throughout the world's
   biggest economy.

   Seasonally adjusted, a total of 853,000 laid-off workers filed for
   jobless compensation last week, up 137,000 from the revised figure of
   the week before. It was the first time since mid-October that the
   weekly figure had topped 800,000 after hovering in the 700,000-plus
   range for seven consecutive weeks.

   With more than 200,000 new coronavirus cases being recorded every day
   recently, state governors and municipal officials have been imposing
   new restrictions on business activity, after lifting similar curbs
   months ago, when the virus seemed to ebb.

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