Unemployment map shows huge jobless spikes across the country with record highs in 43 states
FRESH unemployment data has revealed a huge jobless spike across the United States with record highs in 43 states during April.
The numbers show that , and have been the hardest hit during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the figures, which showed that are suffering high unemployment rates.
The data also showed that 86 percent of states recorded their all time highest rates in April.
The lowest level of unemployment is eight percent in , and .
The highest level is a massive 28 percent in Nevada.
Michigan follows behind with a rate of 23 percent, and Hawaii close at 22 percent.
, another 2.4 million Americans filed for unemployment, bringing the nine-week total of jobless workers to more than 38 million.
Although 249,000 fewer workers claimed unemployment, the alarmingly high figure shows the economy is still struggling even as states begin to ease lockdown restrictions.
Economists said claims were also high because states are slowly beginning to process unemployment application for gig workers and others to access federal government benefits.
During an interview with on Sunday, economic adviser Kevin Hassett was asked if this month's unemployment figures will surpass April's 14.7 percent.
"" he said.
"But it could be, if they fix the numbers and fix the thing that they mischaracterized last time, that you will end up with a number north of 20 percent in May."
Hassett then told the anchor that he believes the high figures could continue through the .
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"Yes I do," he said, "Unemployment will be something that moves back slower. I think it could be better than that.
"But you’re going to be starting at a number in the 20s and working your way down.
"And so, of course, you could still not be back to full employment by September or October."