State and local officials at oceanfront beaches from Delaware to Virginia that closed due to medical waste washing ashore are hopeful that they could reopen to the public “in the next few days.”

"As of this (Monday) morning, the waste and medical debris on the (Ocean City) beach is considerably less than yesterday.," according to the town.

Water access was restricted Sunday afternoon at Ocean City and surrounding beaches after officials say a “significant” amount of medical waste had washed ashore.