Another 1.3 million US workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, continuing the slowdown in the pace of layoffs, the government has reported.

The four-week moving average slowed to 1.44 million in the week ended July 4, the Labour Department reported, showing a steady decline as the economy reopens from the coronavirus-imposed shutdowns, but still far higher than any pre-pandemic week.

However, nearly 19 million remain on the jobless rolls, according to the data through June 27.