St. Patrick’s Day events canceled in New Orleans to contain coronavirus

Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Tuesday that most of this weekend’s public events, including all St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Day parades, are canceled to prevent further spread of the new coronavirus.

This weekend’s canceled events include the Wednesday at the Square, the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade, Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Italian American parade, the Single Men Social Aid and Pleasure Club second line and Uptown’s Super Sunday event, Cantrell said at a press conference.

The Mayor’s Masked Ball, an annual fundraiser held for Xavier and Dillard universities, is still currently on for this weekend, Cantrell said, because it is a private event.

Cantrell said that with the three presumptive cases, “the concern has grown,” and that officials were aiming to be proactive to limit the spread of the virus.

Other city officials echoed those comments.

“At large events like parades and second lines, we see attendees interacting very closely for an extended period of time,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the head of the city’s health department. “In order to prevent further spread, the health department has recommended to the mayor and her public safety team to cancel this week’s special events.”

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