The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to 226,000 last week, down 2,250 from the previous week’s revised average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised downward by 250.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Feb. 17 fell to 222,000, down 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised downward by 1,000.

Claims-taking procedures in Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands still have not returned to normal.

MarketWatch, whose survey of economists had forecast claims to total 230,000, reported initial claims fell to the second-lowest level since the end of the 2007-2009 recession and reclaimed a 45-year low. Businesses are very hesitant to lay off workers, even subpar ones, amid a growing shortage of labor. In some cases, they are raising wages or offering better benefits to attract or retain employees.