Western New York had the second highest number of claims for unemployment last week of the 10 labor regions in the state.

The state Labor Department on Thursday released information on the number of unemployment claims since the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak started. Western New York had an over-the-year percent change in initial unemployment claims of 3,304%, or 36,471, during the week ending March 28. This was the second highest in the state with only Long Island with a 3,605% change being higher. The average increase of the 10 labor regions was 2,674%, with the lowest being the North Country at 1,379%

In total, there were 37,575 unemployment claims in Western New York for the week ending March 28.

Last year at the same time, 1,104 filed for unemployment in Western New York.

Compared to the week ending March 21, Western New York went from 6,711 filing for unemployment to 37,575.

The cumulative total of unemployment claims in Western New York for the weeks ending March 14, 21 and 28 was 45,332, an increase of 1,291% over the total in 2019, which was 3,258.

To show the rise in unemployment claims during the outbreak of the coronavirus, the state Labor Department said the week ending March 14 had an increase in unemployment claims of 4%, the week ending March 21 went up by 483% and the week ending March 28 had a jump of 3,304%.

The business sector hit the hardest is the accommodation and food service industry.

Statewide in 2019, there was a total of 5,266 unemployment claims. During the weeks of March 14, 21 and 28, there was a total of 131,016 claims for unemployment, an increase over last year of 2,388%.

Overall, all business sectors saw an increase in unemployment claims the weeks of March 14, 21 and 28 of 1,075%, going from a total of 39,536 in 2019 to 464,359.

The state Labor Department said that 369,025 initial unemployment claims were filed the week ending March 28, representing an increase of 288,516 claims from the 80,509 that were filed the previous week. Compared to last year, initial claims for unemployment in the state for the week ending March 28 increased by 2,674%.

“We know that businesses across the Empire State are bearing the brunt of this developing economic crisis, and that means hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers’ livelihoods are at risk. But we have a resilient workforce in New York state, and that will not be diminished,” said Roberta Reardon, state labor commissioner.

“The keys to the success of our economy and job market are our forward-thinking employers and the hardworking men and women who make up our workforce. Through innovative thinking, strategic partnerships and high-quality training, we have made New York’s workforce the best in the nation, and we will continue that work. As New Yorkers weather this public health crisis, our governor (Andrew Cuomo) and the (state Labor Department) will be right here, working alongside all of you, to re-energize our economy and our workforce and ensure New York state remains prosperous on the other side of this unprecedented challenge.”

In recent weeks, the state Labor Department’s unemployment filing system has faced an unprecedented increase in volume, including a 16,000% increase in phone calls and a nearly 900% increase in web traffic, compared to a typical week. In order to address this surge, Labor Department officials have implemented a new, more efficient filing system based on the first letter of the applicant’s last name, with A-F filing on Monday; G-N filing on Tuesday; O-Z filing on Wednesday; and Thursday through Saturday if the filer missed their day.

Also, telephone claim center hours have been expanded and is now open on Saturday. The hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cuomo announced Wednesday the launch of a public service announcement that provides information on how to apply for unemployment benefits and reassures New Yorkers if their unemployment filing is delayed, they will still receive full unemployment benefits.

New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim can visit labor.ny.gov or call the claim center at 888-209-8124.