Florida’s surge in COVID cases has put more people out of work.
Those with first-time unemployment claims have tripled in a week.
The increase is more evidence that businesses struggle in Florida despite freedom from government restrictions, as consumers remain worried about going out as vaccinations falter.
Unemployment claims rose to 75,444 for the week, after consistently totaling around 25,000 a week, and the latest figures spiked by 50,747 claims.
Nationally, claims soared to 965,000, and one reason for the claims surge is that layoffs took effect at the end of December and in early January.
Florida reported 217 more deaths from the coronavirus, and 24,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Florida since the pandemic began.
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