New jobless claims are triple-digits

The contracting economy is beginning to feel the increasing COVID lockdowns.  The lockdowns are believed to having an effect across Upstate South Carolina when it comes to displaced workers.  According to the latest chart from the Department of Employment and Workforce, every Upstate county, Oconee included, reported triple-digit numbers for first-time claims covering the week November 29-December 5.  Oconee’s new number:  147 claims, as compared to 65 over the preceding Thanksgiving week.  Anderson and Pickens counties each reported an identical 289 workers out of work and filing their first claims.