First time unemployment claims filed by residents of the 15-county Northwest Georgia region in April were less than 10% of what they were in April a year ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic sent more than 113,000 people scrambling for benefits.

The 15-county region covers Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Pickens, Gilmer, Gordon, Chattooga, Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding and Haralson counties.

The better news is that initial claims — those filed by someone who has not filed for benefits in the preceding 12 months — were down 12.4% from March to April.

Chattooga County residents filed 16.2% fewer initial claims in April than in March.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced last week that he would terminate the $300 weekly extra benefit on June 26, in part because of the belief that many Georgians have opted to remain at home while drawing the extra assistance when they are needed back in the workforce.