File photo
File photo
New unemployment claims in two Valley counties have decreased each week since hitting highs in the first week of April.
Cameron and Starr counties experienced drops in overall unemployment claims from the previous week. Cameron has seen a slide from 3,810 in the last week of March to 3,657 for the week ending April 4; 3,116 for the week ending April 11; 2,971 for the week ending April 18; and 2,178 for the week ending April 25.
Starr has seen a drop from 538 in the last week of March to 433 for the week ending April 4; 360 for the week ending April 11; 434 for the week ending April 18; and 340 for the week ending April 25.
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the unemployment rate for Texas up to 4.7%. The last time it exceeded 4% was two years ago. According to the Texas Tribune, more than 2.04 million people applied for unemployment during the eight weeks beginning March 8.
As of May 5, Texas reported 33,369 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 906 deaths. Cameron County has 443 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Starr County has 10.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced that retail stores and restaurants can open again but on limited capacity beginning May 1, and that other businesses will be able to resume operations this month.
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