Unemployment Claims Jump For 2nd Week As Pandemic Rages

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A protester holds a sign to protest measures in Miami to close indoor seating amid a rise in coronavirus cases. The number of unemployment claims rose for a second week, reinforcing concerns about the economy.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Economy
Jobs Growth Slows Sharply In Last Employment Report Before Election

The number of weekly claims have fallen sharply since the spring when the pandemic first took hold in the U.S., but they have remained stubbornly high by historical standards.

The uptick in state claims during the last two weeks suggests an increase in layoffs as businesses confront the rising tide of new infections.

Nearly 173,000 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed on Tuesday, and more than 2,000 people died. The surge in cases has prompted state and local officials to impose new limits on business activity and made consumers more cautious about going out and spending money.

Politics
Move Fast? Push For A Big Deal? Biden Faces Debate Over More COVID-19 Aid

While encouraging news about experimental vaccines offers hope for relief from the pandemic next year, pushing the stock market to new highs, widespread distribution of any vaccine is still months away. And the risk of infection is higher as cold winter weather drives more people indoors.

As the pandemic drags on, a growing number of jobless workers have exhausted their traditional unemployment benefits and switched to an emergency program that provides an additional 13 weeks of help.

That program, as well as the help for gig workers and the self-employed, are set to expire in late December. Unless Congress acts to extend the aid, more than 13 million Americans could lose an essential economic lifeline shortly after Christmas.