Emerald City Comic Con Still On Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

SEATTLE, WA — Organizers of Seattle's annual Emerald City Comic Con said Wednesday that the convention next week will still be held, even as several creators announced they were pulling out of the event due to concerns about the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the Seattle area.

Reed Exhibitions, which runs the event, said in the statement that they "remain dedicated to running Emerald City Comic Con but understand that not everyone will be comfortable with that decision," announcing that attendees could have their tickets refunded if they decide not to go.

The annual event draws tens of thousands of creators, cosplayers, game companies and more to the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. This year's convention is scheduled for March 12-15.

The Seattle area has emerged as an epicenter for the coronavirus in the United States, with 9 deaths and 31 total cases reported in King County as of Wednesday. The virus has caused widespread cancelations of other events, including Starbucks' annual meeting in Seattle.

Complicating things further, King County health officials said Wednesday that they are advising people at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 symptoms to avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more people.

That announcement Wednesday afternoon came less than two hours after Reed said Comic Con would go on as scheduled. The company could not be reached for comment about whether the health advisory will affect its plans.

Starting Tuesday, publishers and creators including Penguin Random House and Dark Horse Comics announced they would no longer attend the event due to safety concerns, as reported by The Stranger.

Penguin Random House has canceled its participation in the upcoming Emerald City Comic Con due to concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus. While this show is an important way for our staff & authors to connect w/ readers, their health & safety take priority.
— Penguin Random House (@penguinrandom) March 3, 2020

"We are fully prepared to adjust our plans as the situation in and around Seattle develops." organizers said. "If the direction from federal, state or local official public health authorities does change between now and the show, we will adhere to that guidance, act upon it immediately, and update you."

Large-scale conventions have previously served as viral breeding grounds in Seattle. In 2009, nearly 100 attendees at PAX, a Seattle video-game conference, were sickened with H1N1, or swine flu.

Last year's Emerald City Comic Con drew 98,000 attendees.

Related coronavirus coverage:

• Amid Coronavirus, King County Recommends Curbing Group Activities
  
• Washington Coronavirus: 39 Cases In King, Snohomish; 10 Deaths
• Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Companies To Cancel Trips, Meetings