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.
June 23rd
National
US is still in the first wave of the pandemic and experts raise concern for several states-CNN. After weeks of many Americans failing to heed face mask and social distancing guidelines, there is an increase in younger populations testing positive while public health measures meant to control infection aren’t quite up to speed.
New U.S. COVID-19 cases surge 25% last week; Arizona, Florida and Texas set records-Reuters. The U.S. saw a 25% increase in new cases of COVID-19 in the week ended June 21 compared to the previous seven days, with Arizona, Florida and Texas experiencing record surges in new infections.
States
California
California Hits New High In COVID-19 Hospitalizations-NPR. The state has reached a new high in the number of hospitalizations related to COVID-19, surpassing the previous peak in late April. Hospitalizations are seen as a more reliable metric for tracking the coronavirus pandemic than new case numbers as the figure does not hinge on the availability of testing.
Florida
Florida tops 100,000 coronavirus cases on the day the world saw its biggest rise-Tampa Bay Times. In Florida, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases topped 100,000. The Department of Health’s daily report Monday morning added 2,926 more cases to Sunday’s numbers, bringing the state’s running total of positive infections to 100,217.
New York
NYC Moves to Phase II in Biggest Reopening Step Yet; State Daily Virus Deaths Plunge to New Low-NBC News. On Monday, New York City moved to Phase II, meaning that up to 300,000 more people were expected to return to work. Long Island and the Mid-Hudson regions join the rest of the state in Phase III later this week.
Texas
Texas to remain ‘wide open for business’ despite dramatic Covid-19 rise-The Guardian. Gov. Abbott said the state will remain “wide open for business” despite seeing a dramatic 10-day rise in Covid-19 hospitalizations and infections. Abbott called on Texans to wear masks and continue social distancing, but stopped short of making masks mandatory, and made no call for businesses to restrict services. One expert described such voluntarily guidelines as a “hodge-podge” of public health measures.
Industry
Collaboration platform technology to shape the future of construction industry post-COVID-19-Computer Weekly. Covid-19 has caused a turn towards technology in the construction industry, with platform technology playing a particularly pivotal role. A significant majority also believe the ability to work remotely will be crucial for post-coronavirus operations.
America Is on the Road to Relapse Not Recovery-Bloomberg. The data surrounding coronavirus that Americans are generating is a strange, intertwined story. Testing has improved, but contact tracing is primitive. And social distancing and mask-wearing are least prevalent where reopening is happening fastest.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.