N.J. unemployment claims soar as 206,000 workers hit by coronavirus crisis file for benefits

Coronavirus Jersey Shore

Stores are closed on the Washington Street Mall due to the coronavirus scare.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

More than 206,000 New Jersey workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, a grim confirmation of the severity of the coronavirus economic crisis.

When combined with the two previous weeks — which reach back to early, less aggressive efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in the Garden State — more than 371,000 people have filed claims, including 155,815 in the week ending March 21 and 9,467 in the week ending March 14.

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