Maryland beaches in Ocean City and Assateague reopen, are clear of medical waste

Maryland beaches are open for swimming again.

Beaches in Ocean City and Assateague State Park, which closed Sept. 15 due to medical waste, including hypodermic needles, washing ashore, reopened Friday morning.

"We are pleased to report that after multiple high tides and several days of beach sweeping, we are no longer experiencing waste washing ashore," Joe Theobald, the town's emergency services director, said in a statement. "While the source of the waste is still unknown, we will continue to work in coordination with agencies from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia."

Beaches and campgrounds at Assateague State Park have reopened. The National Park Service said Saturday that beaches on the north end of Assateague Island received a larger amount of waste and are still closed to visitors.