The US four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance rose to 228,500 last week, up 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average, the US Department of Labor reported. The previous week’s average was revised upward by 500.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Feb. 10 rose to 230,000, up 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised upward by 2,000.

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

MarketWatch reported initial claims matched its survey of economists. Unemployment is low, job openings are high and workers are earning more pay. The biggest problem is a shortage of skilled workers to fill all the open positions.