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There were 82,435 new claims for unemployment benefits in Washington state last week, a 42% decline from the week prior. Total claims for unemployment benefits in the state now exceed 605,000 as layoffs and business closures reverberate through the retail, service, and startup worlds.

Though new jobless claims have been declining, Washington Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine warned the numbers represent “the calm before the storm.” That because they cover the week ending Saturday, April 18, right before the state began accepting applications for expanded unemployment benefits authorized by Congress.