Another 1 million U.S. workers last week filed first-time jobless claims, feds

Another 1 million U.S. workers last week filed for first-time federal unemployment benefits, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

In the past 23 weeks, the number of weekly, first-time jobless claims has been below one million just one time. Prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, weekly claims hovered at about 200,000 per week. 

This week's number matched economists' expectations.

The department also reported continuing jobless claims decreased by about 225,000, putting the total number of Americans receiving unemployment insurance for at least two weeks at just over 14.5 million.

Continuing claims figures are delayed by one week; the current number reflects the week ending on August 15.