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A Broadway usher who worked two theaters on the Great White Way, potentially contacting thousands of attendees, has tested positive for coronavirus, venue operators announced Wednesday.
The usher worked performances of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at the Booth Theatre from March 3 through March 7, and “SIX” at the Brooks Atkinson Theater on the evening of Feb. 25 and afternoon of March 1.
“Last evening, we were notified that a part-time employee of both organizations has tested positively for COVID-19,” reads a joint statement from the Shubert and Nederlander organizations, the theaters’ respective operators.
“Immediately upon learning of the positive test, both organizations began taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of our audiences, performers, crew, and building staff.”
A deep cleaning has already been completed at the Booth, while the Brooks Atkinson is set to scrubbed overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
“Employees of the theaters and productions who may have been exposed were notified and advised to monitor their health diligently and follow best practices related to personal hygiene, as well as directed to stay at home if they are ill,” the statement continued.
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New York City Manhattan Broadway theater district street scene with many people walking besides the famous theaters. (iStock)
“In addition, we are urging any high-risk audience members who attended these performances in the past several days to follow similar guidance.”
The Booth, on West 45th Street, can seat 800 people per show, while the Brooks Atkinson has capacity for 1,045.
The news was first reported by The New York Times.
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Performances of both shows will continue as scheduled. Though ticket-holders will be allowed to exchange their passes for future shows, many unphased theatergoers were happy the show would go on.
“With the amount of money I paid for these tickets, I don’t care what’s going on! I’m seeing the show!” said Suzi Gerard, 42, of Westchester.
William Kimball, of Manhattan, reasoned “there’s only so much one usher can do.”
“We had concerns sure but they assured us they cleaned the theatre,” Kimball said. “So I’m not worried.”
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Oksana, 26 of the Bronx, appeared to have had it with all the virus-related cancellations.
“I don’t want to let the virus ruin something else,” she said.
There have been at least 52 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the five boroughs, and at least 216 statewide, according to the state Department of Health.
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