UPDATE: Ocean City beach remains closed into Wednesday, with new update from town

This story has been updated to add new information.

The town of Ocean City added an update Wednesday to its official Facebook page stating why, as of Wednesday afternoon, the beach remains closed to swimmers and surfers:

“The Town of Ocean City is working closely with the Health Department and awaiting the results of the water quality tests. Due to the current rough surf conditions, limited guards and out of an abundance of caution, the ocean continues to remain closed to swimmers and surfers at this time. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Safety remains our top priority, and we hope to reopen the ocean in the next few days.

Ocean City hopes to have beach open again 'before weekend'

Here's what Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald previously had to say Tuesday on the town's Facebook page :

“After completing the post-high tide cleanup this morning, the Public Works Department reported no medical waste on the beach. Due to rough surf, limited guards, and an abundance of caution, the ocean will remain closed to swimming and surfing at this time.

"Our goal today is to work with the Health Department to conduct water testing, with the hopes of reopening the ocean before the weekend. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to resolve this issue and keep our beaches safe.” — Joe Theobald, Ocean City Emergency Services Director

OC's hidden gem restaurants: Ocean City's hidden gems: 8 underrated eateries bringing flavor and culture to the Shore

How we got here with medical waste on beaches

Word of medical waste washing up on beaches began at 11:41 a.m. Sunday with a Facebook post from Maryland State Parks that beaches all along the Maryland coast were closing, followed soon after with guidance from the town of Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore to avoid those beaches, first on the Maryland side and spreading later to Chincoteague beaches also.

The medical waste problem also spread Sunday into Delaware, with Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island announcing closures, and Rehoboth Beach following suit on Monday.

On Tuesday, Lewes was also added to the list of beach closures.

Shannon Marvel McNaught of the Wilmington News Journal contributed to this story.

Original story on medical waste: UPDATE: Medical waste forces closures of beaches at Ocean City, Assateague, Chincoteague

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: UPDATE: Ocean City beach remains closed into Wednesday, with new update from town