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 18th
National
COVID-19 now No. 3 cause of death in US-The Hill. COVID-19 is currently the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., eight months after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country. The coronavirus is behind only heart disease and cancer among causes of death in the U.S., according to the CDC.
U.S. COVID-19 deaths rise; cases drop for fourth week in a row-Reuters. The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 rose 2% to about 7,400 people last week, while new cases declined for a fourth week in a row. The country posted 360,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, down from a weekly peak of over 468,000 cases in mid-July.
States
Arizona
Value of construction starts has dropped amid Covid-19 in most cities. Here’s how Phoenix compares-Phoenix Business Journal. A handful of major commercial development projects that began construction in the first half of 2020 propelled Phoenix to be one of only two major U.S. metros to see an increase in the value of construction starts, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Of markets studied, only Phoenix and Detroit saw the value of construction starts increase over the same time in 2019.
Florida
Florida reports lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in two months-Sun Sentinel. The state reported its lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in two months Monday, continuing a downward trend that offers some hope in the state’s fight against the disease. The 2,678 new cases was the lowest number since June 17, according to the Florida Department of Health.
North Carolina
U.N.C. at Chapel Hill Shifts to Remote Learning After a Covid-19 Outbreak-New York Times. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced it would shift to remote learning for all undergraduate classes starting Wednesday. Officials said 177 students had been isolated after testing as of Monday, and another 349 students were in quarantine because of possible exposure.
Texas
COVID-19 updates: Texas surpasses 10,000 deaths, Dallas County reports 1,850 cases due to backlog-WFAA TV. Texas hit another grim milestone on Monday: a COVID-19 death toll of more than 10,000 people. At 10,034 victims reported by state health officials, Texas will account for nearly 6% of the country’s fatalities.
Industry
COVID-19 Slowdown Cuts Apartment Construction by 12%-Globe Street. The slow pace of construction, crew shortages and construction bans that came with COVID-19 has cut apartment construction by 12%, according to a new report. There are 283,000 new apartment units expected to hit the market this year, much less than a peak in 2018.’
How Construction Businesses Can Maintain Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic-For Construction Pros. The coronavirus has presented supply chain challenges across many industries, and the construction industry didn’t come out completely unscathed. A recent report notes that the commercial and multifamily construction sector posted a 22% drop through the first half of 2020.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.