(KLZA)-- Unemployment increased 1.3% in March in Nebraska. 

The latest figures show the state unemployment rate at 4.2% which is up from 2.9% in February.  The figures were released amid a recent record-setting surge in unemployment claims caused by the coronavirus.

Officials expect the unemployment rate to increase again in the April report.

Pawnee County has the lowest unemployment figure in Southeast Nebraska for March at 3.6 percent.

The unemployment rate in Richardson and Otoe counties was 4.2% in March.  4.4% in Nemaha County,  4.7% in Gage County and 4.9% in Johnson County.