The Norfolk and Virginia Beach health departments issued swimming advisories for five beaches in Ocean View and five more stretches of beach along the Chesapeake Bay and Oceanfront.
Swimming and wading is now prohibited in the following Norfolk areas:
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5th Bay
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North Community Beach
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Ocean View Park
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10th View and 13th View.
In Virginia Beach, swimming and wading are prohibited in the following areas:
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Sandbridge Beach from Perch Lane to Bass Street
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Croatan Beach Park to Aqua Lane
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At the Oceanfront from 8th Street to 22nd Street
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From Kendall Street to Rockbridge Road
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From Mortons Road to the end of Ocean View Avenue.
Signs will be posted in the affected areas.
The Virginia Department of Health measures public waters regularly for enterococci bacteria during the warmer months. Enterococci bacteria are a group of organisms used to measure fecal contamination in recreational waters. While they do not cause illness, the health department reports that their presence is “closely correlated to the presence of other disease-causing organisms.”
People swimming or playing in waters with higher bacteria levels have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness.
Eliza Noe, [email protected]
Source Agencies
