Officials are investigating allegations of “medical waste,” including needles, washing up on shore, so popular beach spots along the beaches of Maryland and Virginia are closed to swimming and even wading on Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon, officials declared that Ocean City, Assateague Island, Fenwick Island, and Chincoteague Public Beach would all be closed to swimming.
“Everyone to adhere to this closure until further notice,” the town of Ocean City asked, after the beach patrol blocked the local beaches for swimming.
“We will work closely with the Worcester County Health Department and other public health authorities to investigate the source of the medical waste,” stated Joe Theobald, director of Ocean City’s emergency services.
Considering “the combination of rough seas and the current health concerns,” he went on to say, the situation is “serious.”
When exactly the beaches will be safe to swim again is anyone’s guess. It is highly recommended that visitors to the area wear shoes and stay away from the ocean completely, according to Theobald.
The administration of Fenwick Island also posted on Facebook that they had banned their beaches to swimming on Sunday due to reports of trash washing up on the shore.
Due to concerns about medical waste, the National Park Service has announced closures on the Maryland side of Assateague Island National Seashore.
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No one is allowed to enter the North End of Assateague Island, and the beaches in the Maryland District are off-limits for swimming and wading.
The Virginia Beach known as Chincoteague Public Beach is now officially closed as well. You are no longer permitted to swim or wade at any of the Assateague Island National Seashore beaches that front the ocean.
Fenwick Island and the Park Service have both issued reminders to beachgoers to remove their shoes before entering the water.
