Jobless claims explode in wake of virus

Data from the Virginia Employment Commission shows how unemployment claims have exploded locally because of COVID-19 business shutdowns and interruptions.

Here are the numbers for Dickenson and Wise counties and Norton from mid-March through mid-May:

INITIAL CLAIMS

• March 14: Dickenson County, five; Wise County, 26; Norton, two.

• March 21: Dickenson County, 24; Wise County, 81; Norton, 17.

• March 28: Dickenson County, 58; Wise County, 272; Norton, 61.

• April 4: Dickenson County, 115; Wise County, 398; Norton, 76.

• April 11: Dickenson County, 134; Wise County, 373; Norton, 71.

• April 18: Dickenson County, 50; Wise County, 215; Norton, 33.

• April 25: Dickenson County, 51; Wise County, 155; Norton, 31.

• May 2: Dickenson County, 30; Wise County, 119; Norton, 19.

• May 9: Dickenson County, 36; Wise County, 93; Norton, 24.

• May 16: Dickenson County, 39; Wise County, 88; Norton, 21.

CONTINUED CLAIMS

• April 18: Dickenson County, 306; Wise County, 868; Norton, 173.

• April 25: Dickenson County, 352; Wise County, 1,029; Norton, 205.

• May 2: Dickenson County, 324; Wise County, 1,035; Norton, 208.

• May 9: Dickenson County, 317; Wise County, 1,048; Norton, 219.

• May 16: Dickenson County, 341; Wise County, 1,065; Norton, 214.

The numbers correspond with executive orders from Gov. Ralph Northam.

During the third week of March, he ordered the closure of several business types that were deemed non-essential during the virus emergency and in which it is impossible to maintain social distancing. Northam also prohibited dine-in restaurant service, closed public schools and limited the number of patrons allowed in open businesses at one time.

On March 30, the governor issued an executive order requiring Virginians to shelter at home to the greatest extent possible.

According to a May 21 employment commission report, the total statewide number of initial unemployment claims from mid-March through May 16 neared 18 percent of “pre-pandemic, nonfarm employment.”

For the filing week ending May 16, there were 44,699 initial claims, a decrease of 7,440 from the previous week.

Continued claims totaled 403,557, up 2.8 percent from the previous week and 385,380 higher than the comparable week in 2019.