Unemployment claims in Georgia increased last week

USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 4,571 in the week ending August 9, up from 4,456 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 224,000 last week, down 3,000 claims from 227,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 99.3%. Iowa, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 32.5%.