2 Del. beaches closed to swimmers after medical waste washes ashore, state urges caution

At least two Delaware beaches, as well as other Delmarva beaches, closed to swimmers Sunday after medical waste washed ashore.

Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island officials made their announcements Sunday afternoon on social media and in email blasts.

When asked for information, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control spokesman Michael Globetti said his agency is investigating and “advising beachgoers to leave the beach and refrain from swimming in the ocean.”

“The source of the medical waste is still under investigation, and DNREC continues to monitor the situation closely,” Globetti said.

Ocean City, Maryland, announced its closure to ocean swimmers Sunday, and Maryland State Parks issued a statement announcing Assateague State Park’s prohibition of swimming, wading, surfing and other ocean activities. Assateague Island National Seashore, in Maryland and Virginia, issued a similar announcement.

A reporter visited Assateague State Park, Fenwick Island and Dewey beaches Sunday and observed many small pieces of plastic waste along the wrack lines.

Signs at Assateague urged visitors to wear shoes because needles had been found on the beach, and only in Assateague did the reporter find anything identifiably medical, including a syringe without a needle.

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If you find suspected medical waste on the Delaware beaches, report it immediately by calling DNREC’s Environmental Hotline at 1-800-662-8802.This is a breaking story that will be updated.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.