The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Iowa filed last week was 5,973, an increase of 791 from the previous week’s adjusted numbers, Iowa Workforce Development reported today. Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $14.12 million, with the most claims in manufacturing, construction, retail trade, health care and social assistance, and self-employed/independent contractors. There were 5,322 initial claims by individuals who work and live in-state, and 651 claims by individuals who work in Iowa and live in another state. The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims was 40,699, a decrease of 3,314 from the previous week. For the week ending March 13, nearly 58.1% of claimants indicated their claims were not COVID-19-related, which is a decrease from 59.1% the previous week. The U.S. Department of Labor adjusted last week’s Iowa initial claims number to 5,182 and continuing claims to 44,013. More information is available online.