US Jobless Claims Drop to 385,000, Another Pandemic Low

US Jobless Claims Drop to 385,000, Another Pandemic Low
Due to lack of workers, Rob Bondurant, a supervisor, has been forced to assume additional duties at Great Southern Industries, in the Jackson, Miss., on May 28, 2021. Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fifth straight week to a new pandemic low, the latest evidence that the U.S. job market is regaining its health as the economy further reopens.

The Labor Department said Thursday that jobless claims dropped to 385,000, down 20,000 from the week before. The number of weekly applications for unemployment aid, which generally reflects the pace of layoffs, has fallen steadily all year, though it remains high by historical standards.