Jobless claims surge to 5-month high of 965,000 after coronavirus-tied layoffs
January 14, 2021 at 08:50 AM EST
The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits soared in early January to a five-month high of nearly 1 million as more workers lost their jobs due to coronavirus-induced business closures and restrictions. Initial jobless claims leaped by 181,000 to a seasonally adjusted 965,000.