The numbers of those seeking unemployment due to joblessness during the COVID-19 Pandemic is growing once again at a record pace. In Tennessee, the number of those filing for unemployment has tripled since December 19, 2020.
New unemployment claims between December 13th and December 19th stood at 7,411 filings. After the New Year rang in, there were approximately 22,000 new unemployment claims filed in Tennessee from January 3rd to January 9th of 2021.
Currently, there are 58,945 continued jobless claims in the Volunteer State. The positive side of the continued claims is that 58,945 is considerably less than the 324,000 claims being paid in just one week, which occurred on April 25th. Of course, that was near the start of the pandemic when jobless numbers were at an all time high.
In Rutherford County the jobless claims are again rising as well. Looking back to December, those numbers were on the downturn. Now, they are again on the up-tick. Currently, there are 2,227 residents receiving unemployment benefits after job loss that is believed to be tied to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.
Jobs are still available throughout the state (CLICK HERE). The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Developtment reports 239,288 job openings need to be filled from Knoxville to Memphis and everywhere in between.
