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 11th
National
New Covid-19 Cases Fall Below 50,000 in U.S. for Second Straight Day-Wall Street Journal. The U.S. reported fewer than 50,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row, even as the number of cases world-wide surpassed 20 million. More than 49,000 new cases were reported in the U.S., pushing the total number close to 5.1 million, The nation’s death toll exceeded 163,000.
‘Economic tsunami’: US cities and states hit by Covid-19 face dire budget cuts-The Guardian. Across the country, state and local governments are facing dire budget deficits. State budgets are looking at an estimated $500bn shortfall over the next two years. Nearly all cities with populations over 50,000 are expecting revenue shortfalls this year.
States
US tops 5 million Covid-19 cases, with five states making up more than 40% of tally-CNN. The US topped 5 million cases of coronavirus early Sunday. The number means the country holds about a quarter of global cases of the virus and also tops the list with the most reported deaths in the world.
California
Study shows COVID-19 cases surging among California children and teens-KTLA 5. Coronavirus cases among children and teenagers are surging in California. The 150% increase appears to outpace the number of coronavirus cases among children nationally, which grew 40% in the second half of July. Nationally, children with COVID-19 represented about 8.8% of all U.S. cases at the end of July, compared to 9% in California.
Massachusetts
New Coronavirus Restrictions Are Taking Effect in Mass. Here’s What to Know-NBC Boston. More stringent coronavirus rules and ramped up enforcement take effect Tuesday in a crackdown by Gov. Charlie Baker as the state sees an uptick in cases. Baker announced he was pumping the brakes on the state’s reopening plan and authorizing all state and local police to enforce the orders.
Florida
Florida reports record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations-NBC News. The state shattered its record for weekly hospitalizations, making it one of the biggest coronavirus hot spots in the nation. Some 3,355 people were admitted to Florida hospitals from Sunday, Aug. 2, to Monday, the state’s COVID-19 dashboard showed.
Industry
Project Planning Increases for First Time This Year, Report Shows-Globe Street. For the first time in 2020, the commercial real estate market has shown an increase in momentum, with the number of planned projects on the rise. The growth in July was led by the commercial sector, which saw an increase of 5.3% in planned projects, while the institutional component of the index remained unchanged.
Construction industry adds 20,000 employees in July but nonresidential employment dips-Building Design+Construction. Construction employment increased by 20,000 jobs in July, while employment related to infrastructure and nonresidential building construction slipped by 4,000. Officials cautioned those losses would continue unless the federal government provides funding for budgets and other relief measures.
COVID-19 Slows Real Estate In Houston’s Normally Bustling Healthcare Industry-Globe Street. With Houston-area healthcare systems are under financial strain as real estate projects have taken a hit from the coronavirus. This information came from a new report that says the economic impact on Houston healthcare providers comes from a double whammy of higher COVID-19 expenses and lower revenues from the state’s orders pausing elective surgeries.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.