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Swimming Gets The Okay At Orchard Beach Following Bird-Borne Bacteria Scare

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's now okay to swim at a beach in the Bronx.

Earlier today, people were told to avoid the water after high levels of bacteria was found, bacteria that could make you very sick.

As CBS2's Raegan Medgie reported, that didn't stop some people from cooling off.

An announcement over the loud speaker was advising people that swimming was not recommended at Orchard Beach in the Bronx.

"I wish it were clearer, I wish there was information about why, and information about when things would be different," Sara Douglass said.

The same scenario unfolded at Gerritsen kiddie beach in Brooklyn.

While many stayed out of the water at both places, some at Orchard Beach jumped right in.

"They're brave," Katherine Gianini said.

Emilie Clement used a different word.

"I think they are crazy," she said.

"I refuse to go underwater, cause it's dirty, that's disgusting," Deidry Espinal said.

Deidry is correct.

According to a spokesperson with the Department of Health water samples are taken once a week at most New York City beaches.

Test results from the water at Orchard beach came back showing high levels of enterococcus eye bacteria. They believe it could be from bird feces.

If ingested, the bacteria can cause chills, nausea, and diarrhea.

"Bacteria is bacteria, you run into bacteria every single day," Katherine Gianino said.

As people park their cars, the parking attendants have been telling them that the water at Orchard Beach is not recommended for swimming, if you don't hear the spiel that's alright -- there are signs posted that say pretty much the same thing, if you can find them.

"No, I didn't see signs," Douglass said.

Shabelli Sable said she didn't see signs either but was alerted when CBS2's Medgie asked her why she was swimming, and she wasn't the only one.

"I'll probably now go clean myself from the bacteria, thank you for telling me, I didn't know," she said.

"I'm still gonna tan," Stephani Glenbenning said.

Which was a good idea until the water tests came back late Friday saying it's okay to cool off.

The water at Orchard Beach was tested yesterday. The results came back Friday afternoon, the beach is now open for swimming.

Gerritsen kiddie beach still has a warning for swimmers to stay out.

The Department of Health is now looking into how bird feces is causing unsafe levels of bacteria in the water.

 

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