MD's First-Time Jobless Claims Rise Amid Coronavirus Surge

MARYLAND — The number of Maryland workers filing for unemployment benefits ticked up last week as coronavirus cases surged across the state and country.

Data released Thursday by the Maryland Department of Labor shows 18,440 workers applied for jobless relief in the week ending Nov. 14. That represents a 6.8 percent increase from the 17,254 claims that were filed the prior week. It also pushes the total number of filings since early March, when the pandemic first spread in Maryland, to more than 1.34 million.

Patch editors would like to talk to Marylanders who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. And we want to hear success stories, too. Email maryland@patch.com with your town name and a few sentences about your situation.

While the number of initial filings has dropped substantially from its peak in May, it is still high by historical standards.

Prior to the pandemic, first-time unemployment filings in Maryland hovered between 2,000 and 6,500 per week. During the public health crisis, however, these numbers have fluctuated between 2,090 and 109,263. The all-time pandemic high was for the week ending May 2.

Of the 18,440 workers who applied last week, 3,669 filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) — a federal program for gig workers, contractors, and other self-employed people who otherwise are ineligible for regular jobless benefits.

The jurisdiction with the most PUA claims last week was Prince George's County, with 768, according to state data.

Claims filed for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) — a federal program that provides an additional 13 weeks of pay to workers who've exhausted their other benefits — was 3,028.

The most PEUC claims were filed in Baltimore County, with 495.

In late summer, the state began offering an additional 13 weeks of jobless aid to those who have exhausted both their regular unemployment and PEUC benefits.

Last week's filings for extended unemployment benefits (EB) was 346. Most applications came from Baltimore County, with a total of 65.

Maryland, like most parts of the country, is seeing a resurgence in cases after easing COVID-19 restrictions.

For the second time this week, Maryland has set a record for the most new coronavirus cases reported in a single day. The Maryland Department of Health reported Thursday that 2,910 cases of the virus were confirmed in the past day, bringing the state's total to 174,733 cases.

In the past day, officials said 19 deaths were reported due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, pushing the death toll in Maryland to 4,220. Montgomery and Prince George's counties lead the state in fatalities from the virus, with 878 reported in each. They account for 41.6 percent of the deaths in Maryland from COVID-19.

In an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has clamped down on the number of diners in restaurants, updated its travel advisory guidelines, and set limits on hospitals and nursing homes.

More restrictions are slated to take effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. They include:

• A 10 p.m. closure for bars and restaurants statewide
  • Except for carryout and delivery
• Limited capacity for retail establishments and religious facilities
  • Reduced to 50 percent
• Banning fans at racetracks and stadiums
  • This applies to professional and collegiate stadiums
  • 250 people are allowed onsite

"We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning," Hogan said. "Now more than ever, I am pleading with the people of our state to stand together a while longer to help us battle this surging virus. Your family and friends are counting on you, your neighbors are counting on you, and your fellow Marylanders are counting on you to stay 'Maryland Strong.'"