SALT LAKE CITY-The number of Utahns seeking unemployment decreased to 7,135 last week per numerous reports.
Thursday, the U.S. Department of Labor revealed the decrease from April 26 when 9,057 filed for unemployment benefits.
The continual trend shows the high unemployment numbers caused by COVID-19.
However, Kevin Burt, the Unemployment Insurance Director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services confirmed these numbers will continue to decrease as the state wends its way toward yellow or “low risk.” Utah is currently at orange or “moderate risk.”
The state paid out roughly $28 million in unemployment benefits last week, per the news release.
Another $51 million went to Utahns in the form of a $600 federal stimulus added to unemployment claimants’ checks each week.
Nationally, nearly 3 million filed for unemployment last week. A total of 36 million have sought benefits since the pandemic began.
In Utah, Salt Lake County had the largest percentage of claimants last week, at 43 percent. Utah County was next with 13 percent, followed by Davis County at 8 percent, Weber County at 6.5 percent and Washington County with 4 percent.
