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Ozzy Osbourne will not attend SXSW due to coronavirus concerns

Ozzy Osbourne joined the list of canceling SXSW participants after he announced Friday he will not be attending the Austin festival.

AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: Austin and Travis County leaders announced on March 6 that SXSW has been canceled. 

Singer Ozzy Osbourne joined major South by Southwest participants Vevo, TikTok, Twitter and others in pulling out of the festival due to coronavirus fears, according to reports from Variety, Billboard, Rolling Stones and others. 

On March 5, a representative of the singer issued the following statement

"Following recent cancellations by major corporations, artists, record companies and studios because of the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, Ozzy Osbourne has likewise decided to cancel his upcoming appearance at SXSW."

Osbourne initially planned to attend SXSW, which descends to Austin from March 13 to March 22, in support of the world premiere screening of A&E's "Biography" premiering "The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne." 

The two-part documentary details the life of Osbourne, his career as singer for Black Sabbath and as an award-winning solo rock star. It features exclusive interviews with his family, friends and fellow musicians, as well as archival footage of Osbourne's journey.

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Osbourne's decision to not attend SXSW followed his tour cancellation in February. Osbourne announced he had to postpone his No More Tours 2 to "head overseas for additional medical treatments." 

Osbourne has faced numerous health issues over the past year and is "so thankful that everyone has been patient."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that elders and those with previous health problems or compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe illness if they contract COVID-19. Osbourne, who is 71 years old and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, is especially vulnerable to coronavirus.  

WATCH: Concerns continue to grow over how coronavirus may affect SXSW

KVUE is a media sponsor of SXSW 2020.

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