HOUSTON (Talk1370.com) -- The remainder of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Officials made the announcement Wednesday morning. The rodeo had been scheduled to run through March 22.
"Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year," according to a statement from rodeo officials. "We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage."
Earlier Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the greater Houston area - including one case in Montgomery County, which is being investigated as a case of community spread because it was not tied to international or domestic travel. According to a report from Houston television station KTRK, officials believe that patient attended the RodeoHouston BBQ on February 28.
Despite the closure, rodeo officials said Wednesday that all of this year's scholarships will be fulfilled. "We are in a position to fulfill our annual contribution to youth and education," Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO Joel Cowley said.
