SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Syracuse St. Patrick’s parade has been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

City and county officials announced the decision Thursday morning.

“We are going to postpone the St. Patrick’s Day parade due to the data and the information in front of us today,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. “This is an evolving timeline.”

McMahon also referred to similar decisions being made by organizations like the NBA and the NCAA.

“Obviously that was a difficult decision to make," said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “But it’s a proactive, precautionary step.”

Walsh said the city is reviewing permits for all large gathering events and looking at ways to limit density.

The parade was scheduled for Saturday, March 14. It’s one of Syracuse’s largest annual celebrations and attracts tens of thousands of people to downtown.

Vince Christian, a member of the parade committee, said planners will work to find another date on which to hold the parade.

“This is a postponement, a suspension," Christian said. "We will be working to find another substitute date that will be suitable for everyone. The parade is an important tradition in the community so we are committed to carrying it on.”

All related parade activities, such as the painting of the green stripe, the mayor’s reception, the Grand Marshal gala and the parade day Mass, are indefinitely postponed.

Ed Riley, owner of the Syracuse Marriott Downtown, said safety must come first.

“This is one of our three biggest days of the year at the hotel, so it’s big," he said. “But we want to do the right thing, be socially responsible. The safety and well being of our associates and guests is the most important thing.”

St. Patrick’s parades in New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Utica and Rochester were also canceled or postponed in the last 24 hours.

McMahon said news of a confirmed coronavirus case in Monroe County, home of Rochester, impacted the local decision.

“When Monroe County confirmed their first case, that changes things,” he said.

Reporter Don Cazentre contributed to this report.