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Several popular beaches along Maryland and the Delaware coast were closed to swimming after medical waste, including needles, washed ashore last week.
Swimming was banned at beaches including Ocean City, Maryland, and Fenwick Island, Delaware, as well as state and federal beaches on Assateague Island, which is part of Maryland and Virginia.
In a social media post, the city of Ocean City said Sunday that its emergency services team is actively addressing the recent discovery of medical waste washed up on the beach.
“To ensure the safety of all residents and visitors, the Ocean City Beach Patrol has temporarily closed the ocean to swimming, and we urge everyone to respect this closure until further notice,” the message read.
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In an aerial view, a Ferris wheel and amusements are seen at the entrance to Ocean City and the Ocean City Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joe Theobold stressed the seriousness of the situation, not only because of Sunday's rough seas, but also because of the potential health concerns the trash poses.
“We will work closely with Worcester County Ministry of Health “We are calling on health authorities and others to investigate the source of the medical waste,” Theobold said in a statement. “Until we are certain the situation is under control, we recommend wearing shoes on the beach and avoiding the ocean altogether.”
On Tuesday, Theobald announced that there was no longer any medical waste on Ocean City Beach after a cleanup following high tide. However, access to the pool was closed and his department was working with the Department of Health to conduct water testing in hopes of reopening before the weekend.
In an aerial view, the Ocean City Entrance Pier and Ocean City Boardwalk are visible in Ocean City, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan's office told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the beach was closed to swimmers due to rough surf conditions, limited lifeguards and out of an abundance of caution as officials await water test results.
The city hall added that it hoped the beaches would be reopened to bathers by Friday.
The city said crews will continue to monitor the beach, remove debris and update the public as more information is obtained.
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People have been banned from swimming in Ocean City, Maryland, after medical waste began washing up on shore last weekend. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
In the city of Fenwick IslandJust north of Ocean City, officials closed the beach to swimming because of the trash and urged anyone on the beach to wear shoes, noting that the trash includes needles. Rough seas continued to be a hazard to swimmers Thursday, though officials did not update the city’s social media feeds to say whether medical waste remained a problem.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Fenwick Island town manager multiple times regarding the pool closure and has not received a response.
To the south, on Assateague Island, state and federal authorities have closed the beach for the same reason.
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Assateague Island was closed to swimming this week after medical waste began washing ashore. (Photos Edwin Remsburg/VW via Getty Images)
Assateague Island National Seashore announced the immediate closure, saying the north end of the island and all beaches on the Maryland side are closed to swimming. Assateague Beaches The islands on the Virginia side were also closed to swimming and wading.
Maryland State Parks also announced their closures on social media.
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“Assateague State Park, as well as other beaches along the Maryland coast, are experiencing a significant amount of medical waste washing ashore,” the state parks department said. “Ocean access will be restricted at this time. No swimming, wading, surfing or other ocean activities are permitted. Beach visitors should wear shoes and exercise extreme caution.”
