New data released Tuesday shows Michigan ranking among the worst states when it comes to unemployment recovery since the pandemic disrupted the workforce.

New jobs and unemployment numbers show promise and a positive trend across the nation and in Michigan.

Michigan officials said unemployment numbers in the state declined in February for the second consecutive month. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by half a percentage point during February, to 5.2%, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Despite the jobless rate reduction, the state employment level edged down slightly over the month (-14,000), as did the number of unemployed (-28,000), state officials revealed. The unemployment rate in the U.S. decreased in February by one-tenth of a percentage point, to 6.2%, data shows. Since the height of pandemic-related layoffs in April 2020, Michigan unemployment fell by 841,000, or by 77.6%.

DETROIT – Last month, when the director of the Michigan Unemployment Office resigned, promises were made that critical fixes would be made and help would arrive for the thousands struggling to get benefits. On Monday, those problems still remain. Many people have been going back and forth with unemployment officials for months with no end in sight. Many people are desperate for help. Watch the video above for the full report.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is not just impacting people’s health -- every state in the country is down from its February employment levels. READ: Why you should care about the American Community SurveyMany people in Metro Detroit have lost their jobs and are struggling to put food on the table. Macomb Community Action is working to ease the burden. Click here to learn more about the organization. Watch the video above for the full story