Laura Seitz, KSL
SALT LAKE CITY — 11,830 more Utahns filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
Division director Kevin Burt says that while this is a high number, it is a decrease from weeks past.
“A decreasing trend in new unemployment insurance claims continued this week though still at a record high compared to pre-pandemic volumes,” Burt said in a release.
“We are encouraged and hopeful to hear from both employers and employees who are returning to work as restrictions begin lifting and assistance like PPP loans are available for employers.”
The trend for new filings has been down in recent weeks with the 19,751 new filings over the week of April 12-18 and 24,171 filings over the week of April 5-11.
The DWS reports that the hardest-hit industries this week were in Office and Administrative Support (14%), Sales and Related Occupations (10.5%) and Food Preparation and Serving (9%).
Salt Lake County saw the majority of new claimants accounting for 39.3%, followed by Utah County (14.3%), Davis County 8.6%, Weber County (7.8%) and Washington County (3.7%).
This story is breaking and will be updated