Gov. Brown apologizes for delays in unemployment claims

PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown apologized Sunday to people who have encountered problems trying to apply for unemployment during the coronavirus crisis.

A record number of people have applied for benefits, but many have been stymied by breakdowns in the system. A total of 334,000 people have lost their jobs in the past few weeks as the state’s economy shut down to try and stop the spread of the virus, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

“If you’re waiting on an unemployment claim: I hear your frustration,” Brown, a Democrat, wrote on Twitter. “I’m sorry for the delays.”

Reports of errors in the system weren’t as widespread Sunday as they have been on Sundays over the past three weeks, the outlet reported.

Authorities in Oregon have reported more than 2,300 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths, including four announced Sunday.