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.
July 16th
National
For fourth time in 8 days, U.S. breaks record for new coronavirus cases-CBS News. The United States reported 67,400 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, a new record for cases reported in the country in a single day. That marks the fourth time in eight days the U.S. has broken its record for new, confirmed cases.
Officials seek options for when hospitals run out of ICU beds-CNN. The shortage of hospital beds for coronavirus patients in some areas of the US has officials looking at where they will put people when more come in. States are being creative about where and how this will happen.
States
At least half of all states, including California and Michigan, pause reopening or take steps to halt the spread of COVID-19-USA Today. A week after the United States surpassed 3,000,000 coronavirus cases, the pandemic continues unabated. Nearly half of all states are facing a more rapid spike in cases than in the spring.
California
California restricts COVID-19 testing as cases surge-NBC News. The state is changing its coronavirus testing strategy after it shattered its own record Wednesday for new COVID-19 infections, reporting a staggering 11,126 confirmed cases. The testing strategy will return to focusing on vulnerable patients and those at the highest risk of contracting the virus.
Florida
Almost one-third of Florida children tested are positive for coronavirus-The Hill. Florida health officials have identified a troubling trend; approximately 31 percent, or one-third, of children in Florida tested for COVID-19 yield positive results, according to the Sun Sentinel. This is higher than the statewide positivity rate, which reads in at about 11 percent.
Georgia
Georgia’s Governor Issues Order Rescinding Local Mask Mandates-National Public Radio. Gov. Brian Kemp is overruling local government mandates requiring people to wear masks in public to stop the spread of COVID-19, insisting that the state’s less-stringent guidelines take precedence.
Texas
Austin has six COVID-19 clusters in construction industry, new safety measures now in place-KXAN News. According to Austin Public Health, from June 25 to July 9, there were six COVID-19 clusters within the construction industry. This means that six sites had three or more cases.
Industry
Report: AEC proposal activity at lowest level in a decade-Construction Dive. A new study has found that proposal activity for architecture, engineering and construction firms sank to its lowest level in over a decade in the second quarter of 2020. The study reported a Net Plus/Minus Index (NPMI) of -22% for proposal activity in the latest quarter, substantially down from 17% in the first quarter.
EquipmentWatch: Key Steps to Future-Proof Construction After COVID-19-Monitor Daily. Contractors are exacerbating cash-flow problems through not future-proofing their businesses for post-COVID recovery. This report details seven key steps contractors should take now to optimize equipment and position themselves for recovery.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.