PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The Maine Department of Labor says it recorded nearly 3,000 new unemployment claims, an increase linked to seasonal layoffs in restaurants, lodging and construction industries.

The department said Thursday there were about 2,300 initial claims filed for state unemployment insurance and another 300 initial claims filed through the federal pandemic unemployment assistance program.

In total, nearly 43,000 Mainers are receiving continuing aid through state and federal jobless programs.

The unemployment news came at a time of alarming virus numbers. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the seven-day rolling average for daily cases rose to 165, which is five times the average from a month ago.