OLYMPIA, Wash. — Unemployment continued to drop statewide, according to the February report.

Statewide, the rate was down to 5.6%, from 6% in January, but higher than the 4.1% for February a year ago, before the pandemic hit.

The Whatcom rate for February was 7.3%, up from 7.1% in January, and a post-pandemic low of 6.3% last October before renewed restrictions kicked in.