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250,000 Arizonans filed first-time unemployment claims in last 3 weeks

The latest numbers from DES show 129,215 Arizonans filed for unemployment benefits in the last week.

PHOENIX — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to slam Arizona workers with layoffs, as evidenced in the latest numbers from the Department of Economic Security. 

More than 129,000 Arizonans filed first-time jobless claims in the last week, DES reports. 

Over the last three weeks, almost a quarter of a million Arizonans filed their first claims for unemployment benefits. 

The first large spike in unemployment benefits was recorded March 21, the day after Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order easing access to unemployment benefits. 

RELATED: President Trump says 'toughest' weeks ahead in US as coronavirus spreads

According to national data, the U.S. economy has now suffered nearly 10 million layoffs in just the past several weeks — far exceeding the figure for any corresponding period on record. 

The accelerating layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs nationwide by the end of April.

The national unemployment rate could spike to as high as 15% this month, above the previous record of 10.8% set during a deep recession in 1982.

RELATED: Arizona increases access to unemployment benefits, moves tax deadline due to coronavirus

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