Unemployment claims continue yearly increase in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The latest report from Virginia Works shows unemployment claims continue to rise annually across the Commonwealth.

The report, which includes data up to Nov. 15, shows that there are currently 18,818 unemployment claims. That's a decrease from the state's peak in August, but an increase of 21.9% from the same time last year, when there were 15,438 claims.

(Courtesy of the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement)

According to the report, the majority of continued unemployment claims are from the following industries:

• Professional, scientific and technical services -- 4,695 claims
• Administrative and support and waste management -- 2,179 claims
• Health care and social assistance -- 1,568 claims
• Manufacturing -- 1,306 claims
• Retail trade -- 1,294 claims

There were 2,421 new unemployment claims made in the week of Nov. 9 to Nov. 15 -- a decrease from the amount of new claims made the week before, which was 3,121.