Employment growth in the United States slowed considerably in July amid a resurgence in coronavirus infections.
Non-farm payrolls increased by 1.8 million last month after a record rise of 4.81 million in June, according to the US Labor Department. The unemployment rate fell from 11.1 per cent to 10.2 per cent.
The figures were slightly better than had been expected, but the slowdown suggests that the rise in Covid-19 cases across America is holding back an economic recovery. Payrolls remain 12.9 million below their pre-pandemic level, with employment peaking at 152.5 million in February. The unemployment rate was as low as 3.5 per cent before the virus emerged.
The non-farm payrolls figure, which does not cover seasonal agricultural workers, is seen as the most important
