Michigan's increase in claims for unemployment benefits makes it the third highest state in the country behind California and Pennsylvania. 

The outbreak has now thrown at least 16.8 million Americans out of work since mid-March as tough measures to control the coronavirus abruptly grounds the country to a halt. 

Officials in Michigan say that more than one million people - or a quarter of the state's workforce - have so far filed for unemployment benefits. 

The latest Labor Department figures, which account for the three weeks from March 15 to April 4, show that just over 817,000 Michigan workers have applied for benefits.  

New figures will be released on Thursday that account for last week's claims, which could push the figure in line with the million claims the state is reporting.

Monday marked the first day that self-employed workers, gig workers and low wage workers in Michigan could start applying for unemployment benefits under the federal goverment's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.