WASHINGTON (AP) — Another 2.4 million workers sought jobless aid last week, raising the total number of layoffs since the virus struck to nearly 39 million. 

In the week ending May 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 2,438,000, a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 294,000 from 2,981,000 to 2,687,000.

The four-week moving average was 3,042,000, a decrease of 501,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 73,500 from 3,616,500 to 3,543,000.

In California last week, 246,115 people filed for unemployment.