East Coast Beaches Closed Due to Medical Waste Contamination

Authorities shut down beaches in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia after needles and other hazardous materials wash ashore.

Several popular beaches, including Ocean City and Fenwick Island, were closed to swimming due to the discovery of medical waste.
Officials urged beachgoers to wear shoes and avoid the water as they investigated the source of the contamination.
Ocean City and parts of Assateague Island have since reopened after multiple high tides and cleanups, but some areas remain closed.
The Worcester County Health Department and other public health authorities are conducting water tests to ensure safety before fully reopening beaches.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines medical waste as refuse from hospitals and laboratories, which is regulated primarily by state health departments.