Florida unemployment hits 14.5% in coronavirus’ wake

FILE – In this May 21, 2020 file photo, a man looks at signs of a closed store due to COVID-19 in Niles, Ill. U.S. layoffs surged in April revealing the deep economic hole that comes with shuttered offices, restaurants, stores and schools. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

by: The Associated Press

Posted: Jun 19, 2020 / 11:44 AM EDT

Updated: Jun 19, 2020 / 11:45 AM EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) — Florida’s unemployment rate jumped higher in May, hitting a record 14.5% as the state continued reeling from the economic shutdowns caused by the coronavirus outbreak, statistics released Friday show.

Florida’s unemployment rate jumped slightly from the 13.8% figure in April. Before the coronavirus hit and devastated the state’s tourism, retail and other industries, February’s unemployment rate had been 2.8%. Florida has shed about 850,000 jobs compared to May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The national unemployment rate stood at 13.3% in May, a slight decrease from April, but up from 3.5% in February. The state and national figures are levels not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Before the pandemic, the state’s post-World War II record for unemployment was 11.3%, set in early 2010.