Labor market recovery slowed during early February
Labor market recovery slowed during the week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 13, according to Virginia Commonwealth University and Arizona State University economists. Between early January and early February, employment held constant at 68.6%, which is 5.2% lower than it was in February 2020, according to the Real-Time Population Survey conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University […]
Virginia could get 400K+ COVID vaccine doses for first week of March
Virginia could receive up to 433,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine doses for the first week of March, depending on the timing of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine, according to Dr. Danny Avula, the state’s vaccine coordinator. During a Friday news conference, Avula said the state expects to […]
V-shaped? K-shaped? Va. experts predict economic recovery
What will the economic recovery from the pandemic look like and when will it take place? Ask Virginia’s economic experts and they’ll tell you it depends on a number of factors, including the continued rollout of vaccines, the next round of stimulus and which sector of the economy we’re talking about. Often, economists brand the […]
Va. saw nearly 20% drop in initial jobless claims last week
Initial jobless claims filed last week fell 19.8% from the previous week, according to figures released Thursday by the Virginia Employment Commission but continued claims slightly increased. During the week ending Feb. 20, 11,944 Virginians filed initial unemployment claims, compared to 14,901 from the week prior. Last week, 64,575 Virginians remained unemployed; that represents 42,082 [&hellip[...]
Hotel revenues down 27% for January
Virginia hotel revenues for January 2021 were down 27% compared with January 2020, continuing the industry’s slow climb back to recovering from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released Thursday from STR Inc., a CoStar Group division that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. For the same period, rooms […]
COVID restrictions to be loosened Monday; more vaccine sites coming soon
As more pharmacies across the state receive vaccine doses from the federal government and the number of COVID-19 cases declines, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday he will roll back certain restrictions beginning Monday. Starting March 1, alcohol sales will be allowed in restaurants up to midnight instead of 10 p.m. Curfews will end, and outdoor […]
COVID roundup: 300K vaccine doses arrive in Va.
Virginia received an influx of more than 300,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week, in part due to the weather-delayed delivery of 106,000 Moderna doses that were expected last week. The state also is receiving a bump in doses directed to local health departments and districts, as well as twice as many doses arriving in retail […]
Lawmakers advance bills to compensate first responders hit by COVID-19
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers have passed bills that allow certain first responders to file workers’ compensation benefits for being disabled from COVID-19, but still need to reach agreement on some differences. The measures would make COVID-19 an occupational disease for firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and law enforcement or correctional officers and allow thes[...]
What stays and what goes
With renewed hopes stemming from vaccine distribution, economists and business leaders are looking ahead toward recovery, including pandemic-induced changes that will stay and ways we’ll return to “normalcy.” While it’s evident that the technology sector’s upward trend will continue, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin isn’t sure that telew[...]
Va. vaccine doses will get ‘big bump’ next week
Virginia’s vaccine coordinator, Dr. Danny Avula, said Friday he expects about 213,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to come to the state weekly, beginning next week. That’s an increase of about 60,000 doses from the past week. Last week, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the federal government would up weekly national distribution from 11 million […]
Va. saw slight uptick in jobless claims last week
Initial jobless claims filed last week rose 4.9% from the previous week, according to figures released Thursday by the Virginia Employment Commission, while continued claims slightly dropped. During the week ending Feb. 13, 14,901 Virginians filed initial unemployment claims, compared to 14,203 from the week prior. Last week, 62,624 Virginians remained unemployed; that represents 40,143 [&hellip[...]
Short Pump Hilton enters receivership
The Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa in Short Pump has entered receivership after its owner, Shamin Hotels, fell behind on loan payments, according to documents filed in Henrico County Circuit Court. In an order dated Jan. 21, Fairfax-based based Crescent Hotel Management Services LLC was named special receiver for the Short Pump Hilton, which was […]