Dear Residents and Families of Birch Bay Retirement Village,

On January 4, we were notified that one of our healthcare staff members has tested positive for COVID-19.

After receiving this news, we were able to identify other staff members and residents who may have had contact with this staff member. All close contacts including, residents and other staff, have since tested negative.

The staff member will remain in quarantine and will not return to work at BBV until cleared by MDI Hospital following CDC guidance. The CDC has not asked us to make any changes to visitation at this time.

Please do your part and remain vigilant. As expected, the Omicron variant is very contagious, and many new cases of COVID-19 have developed since the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The good news is that the vaccine and booster shots are working to mitigate the likelihood and seriousness of COVID-19, if an infection occurs.

Vaccination with boosters, when eligible, remain our best protection in preventing serious illness or death. Be sure that your family and friends continue to get vaccinated and boosted. Please remember that even after you do get vaccinated, we all need to continue to protect ourselves and others by wearing a mask, social distancing, monitoring for symptoms, and practicing good hand hygiene.

Keeping our residents and staff healthy is my biggest priority. Thank you for your continued diligence and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Peter Sullivan, Executive Director, Birch Bay Retirement Village