South Dakota's employment situation improved in recent weeks and months as COVID-19 cases climbed, according to newly released data.
The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in August. That’s down from a high of 10.9 percent in April. Before the pandemic, the rate was 3.1 percent.
Claims for unemployment assistance are also falling. Last week, 346 South Dakotans filed new claims. That’s the lowest weekly number since early March. But it’s still about three times higher than the same period last year.
Since the pandemic began, almost 64,000 South Dakotans have applied for unemployment assistance. Currently, about 6,500 are receiving benefits.
The total amount of unemployment assistance paid to South Dakotans during the pandemic is nearly $300 million. That’s from state and federal funding sources.
The improving employment numbers come alongside worsening COVID-19 numbers. South Dakota was consistently experiencing seven-day-average case counts below 100 in June and July. Since mid-August, that average has climbed and stayed above 200, even topping 300 at times.
