York County, tri-county unemployment hit milestone numbers with coronavirus uptick.
York and neighboring counties reversed course with an uptick in coronavirus-driven unemployment filings that moved past previous milestone figures.
A steady downward trend in unemployment filings since record highs in April hit another uptick the week ending June 6. Claims increased statewide. They also respectively increased in York, Lancaster and Chester counties.
“Although we were hoping for the eighth (consecutive) week in reported decreases in South Carolina, that is not the case,” said Dan Ellzey, executive director of the state Department of Employment and Workforce.
York County had 698 unemployment claims for the week. That figure is the highest in two weeks. Lancaster County had 271 claims, its highest figure in three weeks. The 196 Chester County claims are its highest figure in five weeks.
The 1,165 claims in a week bring the tri-county total to 30,693 claims since coronavirus social distancing measures spiked historic unemployment in mid-March. York County has had 20,675 claims in that time. Lancaster County added 6,624 claims, while Chester County accounted for 3,394.
Statewide, the 22,734 claims the most recent week brings the since mid-March total to 582,265 claims.
For the past two weeks, industries with the most claims filed statewide are — in order — temporary help services, full-service restaurants, limited service restaurants and tire manufacturing. Other industries to rank among the top 10 in one or both weeks are broadwoven fabric mills; elementary or secondary schools; yarn spinning mills; hotels or motels; general medical and surgical hospitals; ball and roller bearing manufacturing and gasoline engine and engine parts manufacturing.
“While the restaurant and tourism industry continues to come back to life, it is still experiencing high unemployment numbers,” Ellzey said.
There likely are factors beyond coronavirus that impact figures, and could account for the week-to-week uptick.
While Ellzey said it isn’t clear why, this year is the third straight with increased claim filing the week after Memorial Day. Manufacturers, among four of the listed industries with top 10 claims, still deal with supply chain constraints and reduced demand that could create unemployment over time, Ellzey said.
Temporary staffing agencies connected to manufacturing and healthcare, Ellzey added, are experiencing large layoffs.
“Our agency will continue to support those who have lost their job while helping connect individuals with workforce opportunities in their area,” Ellzey said. “Our employees are dedicated to this mission.”
Since mid-March, the workforce agency has paid out more than $2.1 billion in benefits.
For perspective, the number of unemployment claims in York County since mid-March represents 15% of the county workforce and 9% of the entire population.
In Lancaster County it’s 16% of the workforce and 9% of the population. In Chester County, claims represent 25% of the county workforce, yet 10% of the total population.
