Jill Scott Postponed Texas Shows After COVID Diagnosis Upended Tour

Jill Scott postponed four Texas concerts after a COVID-19 diagnosis made performing in Houston and Dallas unsafe for staff and fans.

The Grammy-winning singer had been scheduled to close the U.S. leg of her “To Whom This May Concern Tour” with two performances near Houston and two near Dallas. Instead of a celebratory finish Scott found herself sidelined by an illness doctors initially believed was a minor virus.

The Houston-area concerts originally set for Aug. 30 and 31 at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land have been moved to Sept. 11 and 12. The Dallas-area stops initially booked for Sept. 3 and 4 at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving will now take place Sept. 14 and 15. Previously purchased tickets and packages will remain valid. The original dates and venues appeared on official venue and ticketing listings.

Scott delivered the disappointing news directly in a statement:

“I am very sorry to report that what doctors perceived to be a minor virus has turned into Covid 19. While I feel OK, I’m not able to go out without a mask. 

For everyone’s safety and wellness, I have to reschedule my last four shows on the US TOUR as well. 

Team Jill will be rescheduling Houston to September 11 and 12th. Dallas for September 14 and 15th. 

All tickets and packages are, of course, going to be honored. I appreciate any understanding you are willing to provide. This sucks and I’m very sorry but I just can’t risk getting ya’ll sick. 

Love you LOTS, 

Ms. Jill Scott”

Her announcement arrived as federal monitoring showed COVID-19 gaining ground again across the country.

As of Aug. 21 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel) reported that national and regional COVID-19 activity was increasing. The agency also said the overall level of acute respiratory illness sending people to medical care remained very low. 

Those findings are important.

Available indicators point toward wider viral circulation but not a comparable leap in serious illness. The CDC uses wastewater surveillance as an early signal because it can detect community spread before infected people seek treatment.

Rising virus levels in sewage tends to indicate a higher risk of infection even when hospital demand remains limited.

Scott’s decision is just a brief timeout at the moment.

Still the music has not been canceled and a revised schedule says Houston and Dallas will get their nights with Ms. Jill a little later.