Worker filings for jobless assistance remain historically high as layoffs continue five months into the coronavirus pandemic

Unemployment claims likely held steady at historically high levels last week, an indication companies continued to lay off workers nearly five months into the coronavirus pandemic.
Economists estimate initial unemployment claims fell slightly to 1.1 million last week, which would mark 21 straight weeks claims logged in above 1 million. New applications for unemployment benefits declined in the prior week and are down significantly from a peak of near 7 million in March, but still nearly twice the pre-pandemic record of 695,000.
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