Elected officials in Orange County say they’re working to bring the region’s unemployment numbers down to pre-pandemic levels through innovative initiatives. Orange County’s unemployment rate in January stood at 7.4 percent, up year-over-year by 4.3 percent. Los Angeles and Orange counties experienced the highest jump in unemployment this past year among the nation’s large metropolitan areas, according to a new study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Anaheim are lumped together in the department’s data, which includes a year-over-year jump in unemployment from 4.4 percent to 11.5 percent—higher than any other recorded area. South Orange County Job Fair To help combat the region’s unemployment rate, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett—alongside Orange County Community Services and the Orange County Workforce Development Board—are hosting a South Orange County virtual job fair. The April 7 event will allow multiple employers to network remotely with job seekers. Those looking for a job can visit virtual booths to speak with hiring managers, and watch short …