Dear Residents and Families of Birch Bay Retirement Village,

I hope you all are having a nice week. We currently have no cases of COVID-19 among our staff and residents. I want to thank all of residents and staff who participated in our second vaccination clinic last week. 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.

I am pleased to share that that there is new COVID guidance from the State of Maine. As a result, Hancock County is now in the updated “low” category. The metric is shifting from new positive cases to percent positivity rate. This means we will be able to relax some restrictions for Birch Bay residents. Please note that this guidance is subject to change.

Beginning February 5th, we will offer 30-60 minute appointments for limited indoor visitation. Families and residents are encouraged to read our updated Visitation Guidelines for complete policies and procedures regarding indoor visits. Please contact James Hoke, our Director of Programming and Resident Engagement if you have any questions about visitation: jhoke@birchbayvillage.us

A full list of our BBRV Campus Safeguards is attached to this email. Our new guidelines are effective February 4, 2021 and a few of the highlights include:

  • Our ability to re-open the Birch Bay Salon. Please call our stylist, Katie, at 422-1400 to set up an appointment.
  • Family pets may visit in accordance with our Visitation Guidelines.
  • Medical masks are now required for all staff and visitors inside the Birch Bay Inn
  • In-house transportation is available by our Activities staff for appointments. Families may not transport their loved ones to medical appointments. Attending off campus appointments without a staff escort may result in a 14-day quarantine.

 

On behalf of the entire Birch Bay Retirement Village community, I want to thank each of you for your continued support and understanding for the last 11 months. 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