The DOL reported:
In the week ending April 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 5,245,000, a decrease of 1,370,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 9,000 from 6,606,000 to 6,615,000. The 4-week moving average was 5,508,500, an increase of 1,240,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 2,250 from 4,265,500 to 4,267,750.
Seasonally adjust continued claims (Note: Lags initial by one week.)
At the worst of the Great Recession, continued claims peaked at 6.635 million, but then steadily declined.
Current continued claims have already increased to a new record high of 11,976,000 (SA) and will increase further over the next few weeks, and likely stay at that high level until the crisis abates.