State officials announced Monday that bacteria levels at swimming sites in Dare and Currituck counties meet state and Environmental Protection Agency standards for swimming and other contact with the water.

A precautionary water quality advisory remains in effect for all other coastal counties. Residents and visitors, including fishermen, who cannot avoid contacting those waters should exercise caution, limit wound exposure, and thoroughly wash their hands.

The NC Recreational Water Quality Program has tested all established swimming sites in Dare and Currituck counties and found that bacteria levels fall within the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set for swimming and water play.

The Recreational Water Quality Program has been unable to test waters in other coastal counties due to the impacts from Hurricane Florence.

The Recreational Water Quality Program will begin testing in other coastal areas as soon as conditions are safe to do so, the areas are accessible, and testing equipment is functional. The advisory will be lifted in part or in whole as test results become available.

All coastal waters in North Carolina temporarily closed to shellfish harvest at sunrise Thursday, Sept. 13. The closure notice, Proclamation PA 105-2018, remains in place.