With Governor Kay Ivey’s stay-at-home order set to expire in three days, the number of Alabamians who have filed unemployment claims during the COVID-19 shutdown has now eclipsed 344,000.
The latest round of unemployment data from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) shows 66,432 of the state’s residents filed a claim during the week ending April 18. This brings the total number of unemployment claims up to 344,381 since March 8. Governor Ivey declared a State of Emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak on March 13.
Seven counties had more than 2,000 claims in the most recent week.
They are as follows:
Baldwin: 3,221
Calhoun: 2,436
Jefferson: 9,611
Madison: 4,528
Mobile: 6,708
Montgomery: 3,479
Tuscaloosa: 3,033
The U.S. Department of Labor reported 4.4 million claims nationally for the week ending April 18.
RELATED: Map of states reopening fills out this week — Plus lockdown effectiveness being examined
In a statement last week, ADOL reminded workers that if an employer calls them back, they must accept the work.
“It’s important for workers to know that if their employer reopens or otherwise calls them back to work, they must do so, unless they have a good work-related cause,” Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said. “Attempts to collect unemployment benefits after quitting without a good work-related cause can be considered fraud.”
Ivey’s office has announced a joint press conference on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. “to provide further updates on COVID-19.” Joining the governor will be State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, as well as members of the executive committee of Ivey’s Coronavirus Task Force.
Tim Howe is an owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.