Chester County now ranks fifth-highest in the sate, an improvement from last fall when the county’s unemployment was above 11 percent, second-highest in the state.

The state unemployment report noted many of the lost jobs came in the construction sector, where 2,400 jobs were lost in April. About 7,300 construction jobs have been lost since last year, according to the commission.

South Carolina faces a tough summer, officials warn, as high gas prices are expected to slow travel and hurt tourism-related jobs.