TO: The Gustavus Community
FROM: COVID–19 Response Leadership Team
SUBJECT: COVID–19 Weekly Update and Mass Testing Results
DATE: November 17, 2020
Please see below for the COVID–19 weekly tip and on-campus case update.
WEEKLY TIP
#1: Thank you to the 1,373 students, faculty, and staff who took part in our on-campus mass testing event on Friday, November 13. In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Nicollet County Public Health, and Vault Health, we were able to test over 60 percent of eligible students and over 25 percent of our faculty and staff. Based on what we have learned about similar events at other Minnesota colleges and universities in the past few weeks, Gustavus has one of the highest numbers of completed tests among our peers.
We are pleased to announce that this morning we received aggregate results for the mass testing event from the MDH, which indicate a positivity rate of only 1.5 percent. MDH had told us to expect the College’s positivity rate to be between 10-15 percent based on data from other mass testing events, so this low number indicates high compliance with campus COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Thank you, Gusties — and keep up the good work!
Gustavus Mass Testing Aggregate Data from the MDH:
| Site | Tests Administered | Results | Positive | Positivity Rate |
| Gustavus | 1,373 | 1,367/1,373 | 20 | 1.5% |
#2: As Minnesota case numbers continue to rise, we cannot grow complacent based on our good test results. As we approach the transition to online course delivery and Thanksgiving break, members of the Gustavus community should continue to “Lay Low” to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in your home communities. If you received a positive test result from Friday’s mass testing event or are a close contact of someone who tested positive, or if you experience symptoms, please fill out the College’s COVID-19 Self-Report form as soon as possible.
COVID–19 DASHBOARD UPDATE
As of November 16, 2020
Total Positive Cases (since August 15): 176
Current Positive Student Cases: 42
Current Positive Employee Cases: 4
Total Students in Isolation/Quarantine: 147
Students in Isolation/Quarantine On Campus: 68
Employees in Isolation/Quarantine: 14
This data set is meant to encompass the on-campus impact of COVID–19 by counting cases where a person may have been on campus while infectious. For example, students who are living at home or employees who are working remotely and not visiting campus will not be counted in these on-campus numbers. This information is also available for viewing on the College’s COVID–19 Dashboard.
As always, if you have any questions, please consult the College’s COVID–19 website and email g-covidresponse@gustavus.edu.