Idaho weekly unemployment claims exceed 100,000

Idaho workers have filed 108,984 new unemployment claims since the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold in the state five weeks ago.

Workers filed 13,023 claims during the week of April 12-18, a 30% decrease from a week prior, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

Health care and social assistance jobs represented 19% of new claims, followed by accommodations and food services, and retail, which each represented 15% of new claims.

The three sectors represent more than 48% of new claims filed during the week ending April 18.

Idaho has paid out more than $31 million in unemployment benefits since March 23, including more than $12 million dispersed last week.