The latest unemployment numbers are out for the Central and South Coast, and they show a spike in the jobless rate. The percentage of people out of work in Ventura County went from 3.4% in December to 3.9% in January. Santa Barbara County showed a bigger jump, from 3.6% to 4.7%.
And, in San Luis Obispo County, the jobless rate went from 2.5% in December to 3.1% in January.
Statewide, the unemployment rate remained at a record low 3.9% from month to month.
But, economists caution that coronavirus could throw an unwanted shadow over what has been a bright employment situation, with so many businesses being impacted by the crisis.
