Numbers released Thursday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show unemployment continuing to increase at a slower rate in Muskingum County.

An additional 511 unemployment claims were filed last week, down from the 562 filed the previous week ending Saturday, April 17.

The State of Ohio’s unemployment trust fund, which started off 2020 with over $1.3 billion dollars, is down to $691.5 million, as of April 21. Current projections estimate the fund will become insolvent by mid to late June.

Earlier this week, Matt Abbott, Director of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority, told Y-City News that he believes the unemployment has reached its peak as people begin to be called back to work.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted was not present during the State’s daily briefing, the first Thursday he has missed since the Federal Government requested states release unemployment numbers only once weekly. Counts are released by the Department of Labor. Typically, Husted speaks about the status of unemployment and ongoing changes to update the antiquated system, while also answering questions from the press.

The state could be forced to borrow money from the federal government to continue paying unemployment benefits after June as was necessary during the Great Recession. The state could choose not to borrow funds and rely solely on the federally funded $600 per week payment to those who are unemployed, however, a decision has yet to be reached.