A tidal wave of claims triggered by mass coronavirus-related layoffs has inundated Arizona's unemployment insurance office.
Laid-off workers have experienced telephone and internet filing glitches and unemployment claim processing delays as filings soar far beyond previous records. The Department of Economic Security says it is working to boost capacity. Department spokeswoman Tasya Peterson says the state projects 100,000 new filings this week. There were 89,000 claims last week from people filing for benefits and 28,000 the week before. The state previously averaged about 3,500 claims per week. The Department of Health Services on Thursday reported 1,598 Arizona coronavirus cases and 32 deaths.
