Unemployment Claims Dropped Last Week In Ohio

OHIO — Ohio continued its economic recovery from last year's pandemic shutdown this week, even as fears of the delta variant of COVID-19 rise.

While Ohio saw an uptick in new unemployment claims last week, continued unemployment claims dropped by more than 7,000, according to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services.

Between July 25 and July 31, there were 10,740 new unemployment claims, up 137 claims from the previous week. However, Ohioans filed 148,607 continuing unemployment claims during that time period, down 7,328 from the previous week.

Read more: Latest Ohio Vaccine And Mask Mandates: See Who's Requiring Them

Both initial and continued pandemic unemployment assistance claims also dropped last week, the department said.

During the month of June, Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, better than the national average of 5.9 percent. However, Ohio's labor force participation rate (60.2 percent) is lower than the national average (61.4 percent).

Three Ohio companies announced mass layoffs in July:

• GenOn Energy Services in Avon Lake — 50 employees
• Compass Group USA in Cleveland — 72 employees
• TTEC Home — 6 employees

While unemployment claims continue to drop, many major Ohio retailers are instituting mask mandates for employees as they hope to stymie the renewed spread of COVID-19 and head-off any possible future shutdowns.

Ohioans should seek out a vaccine as soon as possible, if they're eligible, and wear masks in public spaces, said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer for the Ohio Department of Health.