Test results that came back Friday afternoon showed high bacteria levels at Clearwater Beach, Mandalay Park and Sand Key, according to the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.
A public health advisory has been issued at those locations. These results at Gulf Coast beaches were anticipated after Hurricane Idalia moved through the region earlier this week and might be enough to give some beachgoers pause heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend. Officials say people should stay out of the water — swimming is not recommended due to high levels of enterococci bacteria.
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