Dear Residents and Families of Birch Bay Retirement Village,

I hope you all are having a nice week and getting the opportunity to enjoy the spring-like weather. We currently have no cases of COVID-19 among our staff and residents. We are now several weeks out from our second vaccination clinic and 100% of residents and over 86% of Staff have been fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool to help stop the pandemic. However, even after vaccination, everyone at Birch Bay will continue following all the current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and following our community guidance on visitation, travel and infection control.

This morning, Maine provided an important memorandum regarding COVID-19 restrictions in response to Federal guidance released yesterday afternoon. In settings like Birch Bay, Fully vaccinated residents may now have close contact with visitors including physical touch. Infection control practices, including masking and hand hygiene, continue to apply.  Of course, certain facility and county conditions must be met such as county positivity rates. I am pleased to report that Hancock County is still considered in the State of Maine/DHHS’ “low” category of new positive cases and I will continue to monitor these factors and update of any new developments effecting visits and guidance.

As a result of this memorandum, were able to further relax restrictions for all Birch Bay residents. Please note that this guidance is subject to change.

The ability to offer indoor & outdoor visitation continues. We can now offer visitation to Safe Harbor, Pleasant Cove, and Apartments at any time. Visits will continue to occur outside or in resident apartments/suites only. Visitors will continue to sign in with our visitor kiosk. No visitation can occur in common areas and visitors may not attend activities with their loved one at this time.

It is still important that all residents follow guidelines of general social distancing, masking and handwashing. Families and residents are encouraged to read our updated Visitation Guidelines for complete policies and procedures regarding visits. Please contact James Hoke, our Director of Programming and Resident Engagement if you have any questions about visitation: jhoke@birchbayvillage.us

As we mark one calendar one year since the pandemic began, I want to thank each of you for your continued support and understanding. Vaccination continues to be our main tool bringing us closer to a higher quality of life and has allowed us to again visit in person, hug, and hold the hands of our loved ones. Please get vaccinated when you are able and encourage others to do so as well. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Peter Sullivan, MBA, RN-BC, LRCA, CDP, Executive Director, Birch Bay Retirement Village