The Norwich-New London-Westerly area lost 200 jobs in July, bucking a statewide trend that saw 4,100 positions added last month.

Since July of last year, the region has shed 1,200 jobs, according to a labor report issued Wednesday. It is the only major labor market in the state to see job losses over that period.

The state Department of Labor said in its monthly labor report that Connecticut's job situation has been "fairly strong" over the summer, with three straight months of gains. The unemployment rate of 5.4 percent last month was down three-tenths of a point from June's jobless rate and is only a tenth of a point higher than the national average.

"The pace of decline in the state's unemployed has accelerated in the last three months," Andy Condon, director of the Labor Department's Office of Research, said in a statement.

A year ago, the jobless rate statewide stood at 6.4 percent — a full point higher than the latest number.

What's more, initial unemployment claims in July were off by 10 percent from a year ago. First-time filings haven't been this low since December 2000, according to the latest figures.

The state has added 30,600 jobs over the past year and has nearly recovered all jobs lost since the Great Recession. Another month with gains like July's would put Connecticut over the top in terms of erasing all recession-based job losses.

“This is good news – our state should recognize the progress we’re making," Gov Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement. "We are going to continue fighting for more good-paying jobs with good benefits as we engage with companies like never before.”

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow