SC unemployment claims jump 30,000 in 1 week as coronavirus impact sidelines workers

South Carolina unemployment claims rose 1,600% in one week as officials try to mitigate the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus.

By the end of last week, 31,054 South Carolinians had filed unemployment insurance claims, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. The previous week, the agency received 1,996 initial claims from people living and working in the state.

An additional 772 workers who live in South Carolina and work in another state also applied for unemployment benefits — an 800% jump from the previous week, according to advanced numbers from SCDEW.

Workers in coastal counties Charleston and Horry — which rely heavily on the hospitality and tourism industries — filed the most claims: 4,183 from Charleston County and 5,258 in Horry County.

At least 3,265 workers in Greenville County were separated from their jobs and filed initial claims with SCDEW. In the capital, Richland County, 2,476 people filed for unemployment benefits the week of March 21, the agency said.

The coronavirus has had an unprecedented impact on the world, essentially freezing business and pummeling nations’ economies. As U.S. officials try to get a hold on ballooning rates of infection, many workers have been sidelined.

The hospitality, tourism and service industries have been ravaged as more governments tell Americans to stay in their homes and avoid groups. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster banned dine-in service at bars and restaurants, encouraging food takeout and delivery options instead — options that don’t make up for the revenue loss at most restaurants.

Economic activity has slowed even more in the past week, as businesses laid off workers or cut hours in the face of a pandemic that could drag on for weeks or months, according to health officials.

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 9:11 AM.