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District 196 COVID-19 Dashboard

The District 196 COVID-19 Dashboard provides families and staff with data to guide decisions about learning models in the 2021-22 school year. Below is data on case positivity and vaccination rates for Dakota County, and information about vaccinations and testing locations. The dashboard is updated every Thursday with important information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Operational Plan for District 196 School Year 2021-22

Practices and protocols to help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment, and help mitigate transmission of COVID-19 in our school communities. Review the updated operational plan on Google Docs or visit the operational plan page.

Vaccination Information

COVID-19 Community Testing

All COVID-19 testing is no cost at Minnesota community testing sites. The state is working together with communities to make sure everyone can get tested. Testing information has been consolidated onto the Getting Tested for COVID-19 webpage. This page provides links to information on who should get tested, COVID-19 testing locations, FAQs, and the Safe Learning Plan.

Where to get tested

DISTRICT 196 ON-SITE TESTING AT DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER - for Students and staff by appointment only

District 196 has partnered with Dakota Child and Family Clinic to offer a drive-up testing site for students and district employees. This site is being provided for all students and employees who are sick or symptomatic. This site is not intended for periodic screening or close-contact testing; the state’s Community Testing Sites should be used in these situations. YOU MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.

All students under age 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian present at the time of testing, or call the phone number on the sign when they arrive at the testing site to provide verbal permission. Testing will include a nasal rapid test first, then additional PCR test (at the same appointment) if the rapid test is negative. If other family members are interested in getting tested, they will be directed to schedule an appointment at a community testing site.

The testing site will open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. , at the District Service Center, 14301 Diamond Path West, in Apple Valley, until further notice. 

Families with a child who is symptomatic must set up an appointment prior to coming. An appointment can be made directly through the school. Staff from Dakota Child and Family Clinic will administer the tests on the appointment date.

Testing continues to be available free to all Minnesotans. You can go to a clinic or hospital, or visit a no-barrier community testing site run by the State of Minnesota. Find more information about testing and to find the nearest testing location, visit the Find Testing Locations page on the state’s website.
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Dakota County COVID-19 Facts & Figures
 

Data is updated weekly using information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 Data Tracker. 
Data last updated November 18, 2021.

Vaccination Rate Tile
Date Reported* Completed Vaccinations for All Eligible Residents 12+**
November 18 264,855
November 11 263,858
November 4 258,290
October 28 257,194
October 21 255,287
October 14 253,999
October 7 252,226
September 30 250,988
September 23 249,319
September 16 247,318
September 9 245,335
September 2

242,979
August 26 239,746
August 19 237,360
August 12, 2021 235,620

*Updated COVID-19 data is reported by CDC

**Completed means number of people who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. For the Pfizer and Moderna products, a complete series is two doses. The Johnson & Johnson product is a single-dose vaccine.

Positive tests tile
Date Reported* New Cases Per 100,000 Residents
Over 7-Day Period		 Transmission Level
November 18 507.99 HIGH
November 11 325.39 HIGH
November 4 403.71 HIGH
October 28 228.19 HIGH
October 21 244.74 HIGH
October 14 261.99 HIGH
October 7 223.07 HIGH
September 30 206.75 HIGH
September 23 240.31 HIGH
September 16 251.04 HIGH
September 9 189.50 HIGH
September 2 165.26 HIGH
August 26 141.48 HIGH
August 19 137.76 HIGH
August 12, 2021 94.17 SUBSTANTIAL

*Updated COVID-19 data is reported by CDC

CDC Transmission Level Matrix

Based on total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days.
 

  • Low Transmission: 0-9.99
  • Moderate Transmission: 10-49.99
  • Substantial Transmission: 50-99.99
  • High Transmission: 100+

Mask Protocols 

  • REQUIRE use of masks indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status, while local COVID-19 transmission level is "Substantial" or "High."
  • RECOMMEND face coverings indoors by all individuals (age 2 an older), regardless of vaccination status, while local COVID-19 transmission level is "Low" or "Moderate." 
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Key Determining Factors
 

Three critical factors guide our decision-making process when determining which learning model is best for District 196: guidance from our state and local officials; the health and safety of our community; and our staff rates.

state and local guidance

As a district, we rely on guidance provided in by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dakota County Public Health Department and state departments of education and health. 

Health and safety

The health and safety of our students, staff and families is our top priority. We have implemented a number of safety measures and regularly monitor county and district case rates. 

staffing

Our goal is to provide as much in-person learning as possible based on COVID-19 case rates, state guidance and the ability to adequately staff our schools and fill absences.