Weekly claims turn higher as coronavirus jobs crisis inflicts more damage

The number of Americans who filed for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week as the coronavirus pandemic inflicted more damage to the U.S. economy. 

The Labor Department said Thursday initial jobless claims came in at 1.416 million for the week ending July 18. Economists polled by Dow Jones expected 1.3 million.

It was the 18th straight week in which initial claims totaled more than 1 million, and it snapped a 15-week streak of declining initial claims.

California saw the highest number of initial claims filed last week at 292,673, the Labor Department’s report showed. Florida and Georgia each reported more than 100,000 claims for last week as well. 

Last week’s apparent stalling in the labor market comes as coronavirus cases in the U.S. rise at a record pace. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University showed the total number of confirmed cases in the country is nearing 4 million, killing more than 140,000 people.

The data also comes as an additional $600-per-week unemployment benefit is set to expire at the end of next week. Sources told CNBC on Wednesday that Republicans were considering extending this benefit at a reduced $100-per-week rate through December.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Thursday that an extension in unemployment benefits will be based on “approximately 70% wage replacement.”

To be sure, continuing claims — which refer to those receiving benefits for at least two straight weeks — dropped by 1.107 million to 16.197 million for the week ending July 11. Data for continuing claims is delayed by one week. 

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