Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Still On Despite COVID-19

PITTSBURGH, PA - Although the coronavirus threat has caused St. Patrick's Day parades to be canceled in Boston and Dublin, the parade in Pittsburgh will go on as scheduled, its organizing committee said.

"At this time, COVID-19, a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus, is not present in Allegheny County that we are aware of," a committee post on the parade's Facebook page stated. "As thus, the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day parade is still scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14th.

"We encourage those wishing to take part in St. Patrick’s Day parade celebrations to take preventative action by washing their hands frequently, not sharing drinks, and covering their mouth if they cough or sneeze."

The committee stated that anyone who is ill should consider staying home and view a livestream of the parade.

The parade, one of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day events, is expected to have about 22,000 participants and as many as 250,000 spectators.