The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reports another increase in claims for initial unemployment benefits.

DETR says 15,548 people filed for benefits for the week ending July 18. That is up 6.0 percent compared to last week’s total of 14,666. 

The agency says 592,700 initial claims have been filed in 2020. The majority of those claims came since the week ending March 14.

Besides initial claims for benefits, DETR reports the third week straight of increases in continued claims. 

The state's insured unemployment rate stands at 22 percent. DETR notes the insured unemployment rate is different from the total unemployment rate because it only includes jobs that are covered by unemployment insurance.