The Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade has been cancelled, city officials have confirmed. FULL VIDEO: Pittsburgh cancels parade, announces more safety precautions amid coronavirus concerns. Click the video player above to watch.City officials cited "ongoing concerns over the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus" in announcing the cancellation of the parade, which was to be held Saturday morning.“The health of our residents and visitors to our city must be our main priority," Mayor Bill Peduto said in a written statement. "This mitigation measure will help keep people in Pittsburgh and Western Pa. safe."No cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in the Pittsburgh area, but City Councilman Corey O'Connor said the parade cancellation was a necessary precaution due to the magnitude of the event."When you get a couple hundred thousand people coming here, we can't all guarantee that they're from the city of Pittsburgh," O'Connor said. "We get travelers from all across the world, sometimes, to come to this event. I know they're coming from Ireland; usually we get some ambassadors come. So, you know, we would rather be safe and cautious than put people at risk."Other St. Patrick's Day parades in major U.S. cities have been canceled amid coronavirus concerns, including Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago.Ireland also canceled all of its St. Patrick's Day parades. Related video above: Previous reporting on preparations for this year's parade

The Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade has been cancelled, city officials have confirmed.


FULL VIDEO: Pittsburgh cancels parade, announces more safety precautions amid coronavirus concerns. Click the video player above to watch.

City officials cited "ongoing concerns over the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus" in announcing the cancellation of the parade, which was to be held Saturday morning.

“The health of our residents and visitors to our city must be our main priority," Mayor Bill Peduto said in a written statement. "This mitigation measure will help keep people in Pittsburgh and Western Pa. safe."

No cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in the Pittsburgh area, but City Councilman Corey O'Connor said the parade cancellation was a necessary precaution due to the magnitude of the event.

"When you get a couple hundred thousand people coming here, we can't all guarantee that they're from the city of Pittsburgh," O'Connor said. "We get travelers from all across the world, sometimes, to come to this event. I know they're coming from Ireland; usually we get some ambassadors come. So, you know, we would rather be safe and cautious than put people at risk."



Other St. Patrick's Day parades in major U.S. cities have been canceled amid coronavirus concerns, including Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Ireland also canceled all of its St. Patrick's Day parades.

Related video above: Previous reporting on preparations for this year's parade