Unemployment claims up 148% in Beaufort Co. as coronavirus takes more jobs
Unemployment claims filed in Beaufort County more than doubled in a one-week span, as the economic pain from coronavirus continues to grow.
As of Saturday, 2,709 Beaufort County residents filed for unemployment benefits, a stark surge from the 1,090 who had applied the week before, according to new numbers from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
The county’s trajectory matches the state overall: South Carolina saw an increase in claims filed by approximately 108%. The SCDEW says 64,856 South Carolinians filed for unemployment between March 21-28, with 31,054 filing the week before that.
Charleston and Horry counties have the highest number of residents applying for unemployment in the state compared to other counties.
Fewer travelers to support Beaufort County’s major tourism and hospitality industries means more workers are facing furloughs and layoffs.
The nation is not faring much better, as 10.4 million Americans lost their jobs and applied for aid from the government in the month of March alone, according to the latest figures from the Labor Department.
