U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 220,000 last week, down 2,000 claims from 222,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis. Alaska saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 53.8%. New Hampshire, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 66.5%.

New York saw a sharp rise in unemployment claims, with new filings jumping to 30,166 for the week ending March 1, up from 14,538 the previous week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in New York rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 30,166 in the week ending March 1, up from 14,538 the week before, the Labor Department said.