The data from the Labor Department revealed on Thursday the number of applications for unemployment benefits decreased slightly last week, suggesting the labor market remained strong despite the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the report, the initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 216,000 for the week ended February 29.

Economists had expected 215,000 new claims last week.

Claims for the prior week remained unchanged at 219,000.

Meanwhile, the four-week moving average of claims rose by 3,250 to 213,000 last week.