Medical waste washes ashore across beaches in three states, prompting closures

OCEAN CITY, Md. — Beaches in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia remain closed after medical waste and debris began washing ashore over the past 24 hours, local authorities announced Monday. The closure affects popular tourist destinations, including Ocean City and Assateague Island, as officials work to assess and address the contamination.

Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald of Ocean City reported a decline in the amount of waste found on the beaches Monday afternoon but emphasized the need for continued vigilance. “While this is an encouraging development, the Town of Ocean City will keep a close eye on the situation,” Theobald said, noting upcoming high tide cycles that could potentially bring more debris ashore.

The closures were first announced Sunday morning by Maryland State Parks, after syringes and other medical debris were discovered on the Maryland side of Assateague Island. Additional closures were soon extended to include Ocean City, as well as Delaware and Virginia beaches, including Chincoteague.

As of now, swimming and surfing remain prohibited across affected areas. Local, state, and federal authorities are collaborating to manage the situation and determine the source of the waste. Residents and visitors are urged to report any hazardous debris to Ocean City’s non-emergency line.

“We will continue working with our partners until the matter is resolved,” Theobald said, as cleanup efforts are expected to persist through the coming days.

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