Coronavirus Leads 27,454 To File For Unemployment In NH

CONCORD, NH — The labor department reported Thursday an astronomical 6.65 million people filed for new unemployment claims across the United States — including more than 27,000 in New Hampshire, due to the fallout from the new coronavirus. For the week ending March 28, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, seasonally adjusted initial claims clocked in at 6,648,000. In New Hampshire, it was 27,454.

That figure represents about 4 percent of the 684,000 people the state reported as employed in February.

Last week, the state reported 29,379 jobless claims, about 4.3 percent. The week ending March 15, slightly more than 4,000 people filed for unemployment. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

According to the state, part of the federal CARES Act, the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last month, will send $1.25 billion to the state — including expanded benefits under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. Unemployment will be extended 13 weeks to 39 weeks. The benefit was increased by the federal government to $600 more per week on top of an average weekly benefit of $330 the state issues.

Help Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

COVID-19, not unlike the flu and other respiratory illnesses, is spread through respiratory droplets, usually through coughing and sneezing, and exposure to others who are sick or might be showing symptoms.

Health officials emphasize residents should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid any domestic and international travel, especially on public transportation such as buses, trains, and airplanes.
• Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people, including distancing while in waiting areas or lines.
• Anybody who is told to self-quarantine and stay at home due to exposure to a person with confirmed or suspect COVID-19 needs to stay home and not go out into public places.
• If you are 60 years or older or have chronic medical conditions, you need to stay home and not go out.
• Avoid gatherings of 10 people or more.
• Employers need to move to telework as much as possible.
• There is increasing evidence that this virus can survive for hours or possibly even a few days on surfaces, so people should clean frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, grocery carts and grocery basket handles, etc.

Take the same precautions as you would if you were sick:

• Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e., social distancing).
• Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services about coronavirus can be found here on the department's website.

• Guidance to schools can be found can be found here.
• Instructions for returning travelers to self-observe for symptoms of COVID-19 are available are available here.
• For more information on COVID-19 in NH, visit its site here.
• For the latest information from the CDC, visit its site here.

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