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 14
National
U.S. reports highest COVID-19 fatalities in two weeks, but real death toll could be higher-NBC News. The U.S. logged the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in two weeks, but widespread testing shortages raised concerns that the figures coming out of the hardest-hit states might not be presenting a true picture. The 1,424 fatalities reported Wednesday were the highest since July 28, when 2,218 deaths were reported. It was also the twelfth time in the last 16 days that the death toll exceeded 1,000.
13 States Make Contact Tracing Data Public. Here’s What They’re Learning-NPR. NPR surveyed the health departments of all U.S. states and territories three times to ask about contact tracing capacity — first in April, then again in mid-June, and most recently in late July. The latest survey also asked states about contact tracing data: what they were gathering and what they’re making public.
States
California
California Becomes First State to Report 600,000 Coronavirus Cases-New York Times. On Thursday, California became the first state to surpass 600,000 reported coronavirus cases. With more than 10,800 fatalities, the state now ranks third in the country for the worst death toll, behind New York and New Jersey.
Georgia
Late to shut down, first to reopen, Georgia reports its highest daily death toll-USA Today. One of the last states to institute a shelter-in-place order and the first to reopen businesses, Georgia is now seeing a rising number of COVID-19-related deaths. The state reported 136 deaths Tuesday – its most in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic – and another 109 deaths Wednesday, according to the state’s department of health.
Florida
6,236 new Florida coronavirus cases Thursday; 148 new deaths-Fox Tampa Bay. The Florida Department of Health says the number of known cases of COVID-19 in the state rose by 6,236 Thursday. The total number of cases in Florida is now 557,137.
Texas
Texas’ COVID testing has dropped as positivity rate climbs, giving virus ‘upper hand’-Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As hospitalizations daily new cases in Texas have begun to fall from record levels, the state’s positivity rate has skyrocketed to an all-time high. As of Tuesday, Texas’ seven-day average positivity rate was at 24.5%, according to Texas Department of State Health Services data.
Industry
Readers Respond: 44% of respondents had a co-worker test positive for COVID-19-Construction Dive. Last week Construction Dive asked readers how COVID-19 has personally impacted them. Twelve percent of respondents said they had tested positive. In addition, 44% of respondents, said that someone within their company had tested positive, and 27% said someone on their jobsite had contracted the virus.
OSHA Guidance for Keeping Construction Workers Safe During the Pandemic-The Legal Intelligencier. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces standards concerning worker health and safety. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA issued guidance on how to assess risk and implement safety protocols on jobsites.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.