LAS VEGAS (AP) — A record wave of Nevada residents filed new claims for jobless benefits for a fifth straight week, bringing to more than 343,000 the total since casinos and other businesses closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The nearly 41,000 new unemployment applications reported Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor show that about 24% of the 1.43 million people employed in Nevada in February filed for benefits since March 21.
State health officials said at least 189 people have died of the COVID-19 respiratory illness in Nevada, and more than 4,200 have tested positive.