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 10th
National
U.S. tops 5 million coronavirus cases as outbreak threatens America’s Midwest-CNBC. The United States has the worst Covid-19 outbreak in the world with more than 5 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data. U.S. health officials fear the virus may be widely circulating in parts of the Midwest now.
US construction spending declines 0.7% in June-The Seattle Times. U.S. construction spending fell again in June, the fourth straight decline as the coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc on the economy. Private and government spending on construction both also declined by the same 0.7% figure.
States
California
California Coronavirus Cases At 554k, Firm Helps Enforce Mask Rule-CBS Sacramento. The number of COVID-19 cases in California stood more than 554,000 cases Sunday. The California Department of Public Health reported 8,826,119 tests conducted in California, an increase of 118,592 over the prior 24-hour reporting period.
Florida
Florida’s cases of COVID-19 top 525,000 in Saturday’s report; 182 new deaths-Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 rose by 8,502 Saturday as the virus spreads and as more people are tested across the state. The total number of cases in Florida is now 526,577.
Pennsylvania
A chilling effect: Construction starts plunge amid COVID-19 economic uncertainities-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Even after many projects roared back to life following a shutdown, the Pittsburgh region’s construction industry still could face tough times ahead. While the statistics vary, one thing seems to be clear — economic uncertainties driven by an untamed virus are keeping toolboxes in check.
Texas
Gov. Abbott Extends Texas Disaster Declaration For COVID-19 Threat-CBS Dallas/Fort Worth. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday extended the state’s disaster declaration for all counties in response to the COVID-19 threat. The declaration, originally issued on March 13, allows the state to be provided with resources to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Industry
Readers Respond: COVID-19 has increased competition among contractors-Construction Dive. Readers were split in the amount of bidding they are doing, with 38% saying they are bidding on more jobs than usual, 36% saying less and the rest doing about the same amount of bidding as before the pandemic hit. They were also split evenly on whether it’s been harder to find new projects to bid on; 49% said yes and 51% said no.
Here’s how smart construction could transform home-building after COVID-19-World Economic Forum. The pandemic is forcing us to find safer and smarter ways of building homes and offices. Prefab construction powered by digital technology can help us safely create sustainable, high-quality housing at speed. Using big data and artificial intelligence throughout the design and construction process can transform the building sector.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.