The Labor Department revealed another 4.4 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week in the midst of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
Americans receiving unemployment benefits hit 16 million. The previous record was 12 million in 2010.
That brings to total to more than 26 million Americans filing the claims since the economy shutdown last month.
Economists believe the unemployment rate for April could hit 20% if all those who filed are considered unemployed.
The numbers might decrease in the next few weeks as states reopen for business. States have already seen unemployment claims go down.
Georgia will allow gyms, hair salons, and bowling alleys to open on Friday. Oklahoma will allow hair salons to open on Friday depending on a city’s lockdown date.
Restaurants have lost the most jobs at 4 million since February. Construction jobs went down 9% along with the retail, shipping, and utility sector.
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