DBIA’s mission is to provide the best resources available to help inform and empower our industry. In these uncertain times, that mission is even more important. As our communities fight the Coronavirus, we are working to find the best information available to help design-build teams navigate the unknown. This daily newsletter will provide the latest COVID-19 news for the AEC community.
Design-builders deliver in times of crisis and we will again.
If you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry from your organization, state or community please email us.
August 13th
National
Live updates: Nearly 1,500 U.S. coronavirus deaths mark deadliest day of summer-Washington Post. The United States logged nearly 1,500 coronavirus-related fatalities on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day of the summer so far. The grim tally is the highest since mid-May, signaling that America does not have the pandemic under control despite stabilizing case numbers.
The CDC issues a dire warning for the fall if coronavirus measures are not followed-CNN. A top federal health official is issuing a dire warning. Follow recommended coronavirus measures or risk having the worst fall in US public health history. Coronavirus has infected more than 5 million people and killed over 166,000 nationwide.
States
U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Reflects Sun Belt Outbreaks-New York Times. With the exception of three anomalous days this summer, Wednesday’s U.S. total of more than 1,470 deaths was the highest since late May. Experts say the nation’s new coronavirus database creates problems for hospitals.
Florida
Florida adds 8,109 coronavirus cases to push total infected past 550,000-Orlando Sentinel. The state added 8,109 coronavirus cases Wednesday to push the statewide total to 550,901 infected. With 212 new virus fatalities reported Wednesday, 8,765 Florida residents have died. It’s the 18th day in a row the state Department of Health reported an increase below 10,000 cases.
Illinois
Illinois at ‘make-or-break moment?’ Despite looming COVID-19 storm clouds, Pritzker says, ‘We can lick this thing’-Chicago Sun-Times. Another 1,645 people have contracted COVID-19 across Illinois and testing positivity rates are up across much of the state. The state’s top doctor said “concern is growing each day about the direction our numbers are going” on Wednesday.
Texas
COVID’s true toll in Texas is higher than reported, data shows-Houston Chronicle. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas, the state’s death toll from all causes has soared by thousands above historical averages. It is a sobering spike that experts say reveals the true toll of the disease.
Industry
Construction backlog drops 13% YoY as contractors engage in “survival bidding”-Construction Dive. Construction backlog was a full month lower in July than a year ago, amounting to a 13% year-over-year decline. In a competitive bidding environment, profit expectations also fell in July, with 47% of contractors anticipating lower profit margins in the next six months. Just 12% of contractors foresaw lower profits at this time last year.
Unexpected costs, slowing project pipeline rock construction industry-Houston Business Journal. Five months into the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, some construction companies are starting to feel the pressure as the project pipeline slows and unforeseen expenses start to pile up.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.