RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is extending phone hours and adding more staff to respond to the growing number of people seeking help with unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported Saturday that the leader of the Division of Employment Security is willing to do even more. Lockhart Taylor, the head of the office,  said there has been an average of 80,000 calls a day since the middle of March when businesses began to close.

Taylor said his office is investigating the possibility of an online chat system to help. People are now able to call in on weekends as well. 

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