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 am pleased to report that Hancock County is still considered in the State of Maine/DHHS’ updated “low” category of new positive cases to percent positivity rate. Over the last couple of months, we have been able to relax some restrictions for all Birch Bay residents. This week, with guidance from the State of Maine, we are now allowed to relax even more restrictions. Please note that this guidance is subject to change.

The ability to offer indoor visitation continues. Apartment, Pleasant Cove, and Safe Harbor residents may now all leave campus for appointments/services supervised by staff, independently, or with family/friends; however, in an abundance of caution, we ask you to minimize trips and wear cloth face coverings or masks at all times, social distance, and limit contact with others.  Safe distancing, frequent hand washing, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoid frequently touched surfaces are imperative to your safety.

 

A full list of our BBRV Campus Safeguards is attached to this email. Our new guidelines are effective April 21, 2021 and a few of the highlights include:

  • Cottage residents may make reservations in the Bay Vista Room.
  • Visitors are now allowed within common areas.
  • Medical masks are now required for all staff and visitors inside the Birch Bay Inn
  • Group exercises may be held indoors and outdoors for groups of no more than six (6) indoors.
  • Group gatherings and activities in Birch Bay common spaces will be allowed up to maximum of ten (10) residents, if space allows. No visitors are permitted for group activities if doing so would results in maximum capacity.

 

We continue to encourage all Birch Bay families and friends age sixteen and older to taken advantage of the availability of COVID-10 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool to help stop the pandemic. The rate of which Mainer’s are vaccinated will determine how quickly we can move to our pre-pandemic lives. I want to thank each of you for your continued support and understanding. The vigilance of our staff, residents and families has been what has kept Birch Bay Residents COVID-free and Birch Bay without any outbreaks during the pandemic; we are all very grateful. 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