Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 5,922 in the week ending October 26, down from 6,314 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 216,000 last week, down 12,000 claims from 228,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Alaska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 63.0%. North Carolina, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 45.5%.