OLYMPIA, Wash. — New unemployment claims continued their downward trend in Washington last week.

More than 18,000 workers made an initial claim for unemployment benefits last week, 16% fewer than the week before.

Employment Security says the 569,000 total claims that include on-going payments was also down 4.2%.

The department says it’s paid nearly $10 billion in benefits since early March when COVID-related job losses began.