First-time unemployment claims increase to 853,000, amid spike in coronavirus cases

The number of U.S. workers who filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week increased to 853,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

The number of jobless Americans increased sharply as the number of coronavirus case numbers rise across the country and as lawmakers put restrictions of travel, dining and other parts to the economy to slow the spread of the virus.

This week's jobless number is an increase of more than 100,000 compared to the previous week. However, economists warned at the time that the lower-than-expected number could have been the result of the Thanksgiving holiday.

This week's number is the highest jobless total since Oct. 10.