Rapid Spread of Omicron Variant Causes Major Events to Be Rescheduled or Canceled

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is reported to spread faster than the Delta, and Americans are curious if the U.S. is going to have another nationwide shutdown. Recently, 30 cases have been reported across 11 states: New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, California, Minnesota, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Missouri, and Utah.

Washington D.C. and New York broke their pandemic records when the states reported having had the most COVID-19 cases in a day on Wednesday and Friday.

Due to the reported rise in cases, significant events are being canceled or postponed.

On Friday, the NFL announced they’re postponing three Week 15 games due to COVID-19 issues around the league. Saturday’s game between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders was rescheduled for Monday at 5 pm E.T.

Additionally, the National Hockey League announced that all games scheduled in December between the U.S. and Canadian teams would be postponed and rescheduled.

iHeartRadio’s Y1OO Jingle Ball in Miami was also canceled. The event was set to occur at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida but was called off due to COVID-19 concerns.

The original lineup for Jingle Ball in Miami featured Saweetie, Meg The Stallion, Doja Cat, Black Eyes Peas, and more. Doja Cat and Meg The Stallion had to drop out of other Jingle Ball dates after being exposed to COVID-19.