Multiple ABC shows, including Late Night with Seth Meyers has shut down production for one week after Meyers tested positive for COVID.

Up until now, though, the 2021-2022 television season has appeared to reach some level of normalcy, at least compared to how things were last year. In the case of Grey's Anatomy, the long-running medical drama moved past its COVID storylines from season 17 as it entered its 18th run of episodes. The current season has seen Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) begin work on finding a cure for Parkinson's disease while her fellow doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital continue to grapple with personal and professional trials. Currently, Grey's Anatomy is on a mid-season hiatus, though it returns in February with a Station 19 crossover event.

Related: Grey's Anatomy Season 18 Is Already On The Road To Its Perfect Ending

It turns out that Grey's Anatomy is now on hold in more ways than one. According to The Rookie are also paused; each show was supposed to resume work this week, but will instead pick up next week. Sources say studio ABC Signature made the decision out of an abundance of caution, not due to any positive cases. It's also said that these delays aren't expected to impact the on-air schedules of the shows.

Hayes and Meredith holding coffee and smiling on Grey's Anatomy

Production shutdowns were terrifyingly common back in 2020, back before vaccines were available and studios didn't know how to handle the spread. Throughout 2021, there were some shutdowns as well, but several major productions were able to get through with little impact. However, with Omicron causing an influx of positive cases, it's smart of ABC to err on the side of caution. Fans can rest assured this won't disrupt Grey's season 18 on a massive scale.

COVID-related issues aside, the biggest question currently facing Grey's Anatomy is whether season 18 will be its last. Pompeo has shared her desire to have the show end, but there are also rumors of ABC entering early talks for a season 19 renewal. Fans will likely have to wait a bit longer to learn more about Grey's Anatomy's potential conclusion, especially since the show has more pressing problems going on with the unexpected shutdown. Nevertheless, even as things are constantly shifting behind the scenes, audiences can expect to have Meredith and the rest back on their screens next month.

More: Ellen Pompeo Is Right, Grey's Anatomy Needs To End Now

Grey's Anatomy season 18 returns Thursday, February 24 on ABC.

Source: TVLine