This weekend’s Oscars are in jeopardy, with half of the Best Picture nominees dealing with Covid scares.

The panic has been dubbed “swab sweat” by nominees as they anxiously await two mandatory PCR tests 48 hours before the ceremony on Sunday.

Stars such as Lady Gaga, Dame Judi Dench, Will Smith, and Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as performers Billie Eilish and Beyonce, have been told that if they test positive, they will be forced to miss both the prestigious pre-Oscars Governors Ball tomorrow night and the main event 48 hours later.

Kenneth Branagh, a Belfast director and Oscar nominee, tested positive last weekend and will miss tonight’s Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles.

At least four other cast members from other films, including multi-award winner The Power Of The Dog, have seen Covid in the last week.

“Everyone is dealing with swab sweat,” an insider from Hollywood powerhouse United Talent Agency told The Sun last night.

“You get your nose swabbed, and then you’re nervous about whether the email will arrive showing you’re positive.” It’s a stressful time for major stars and nominees, who know this could be their last chance at glory.

“All of the events have requested testing to demonstrate to LA authorities that they are adhering to guidelines and the ongoing union-agreed coronavirus measures around live broadcasts.”

“While socialising at events throughout the week is obviously an important part of the festivities, there is concern that anyone could inadvertently contract Covid simply by mixing with an infected person.”

There is “significant concern about a widespread infection,” particularly after many attendees at the Bafta Awards and parties two weeks ago became infected.

Aside from the main ceremony, other events in Los Angeles, including private house parties hosted by A-list celebrities, are requiring attendees to take an antigen test upon arrival in order to keep others safe.

The stringent health policy, which is spreading “the fear of missing out on the biggest night of the Hollywood calendar,” comes as LA health officials and event organisers increase their security measures.

Branagh is currently in isolation in Los Angeles, hoping to test negative before Sunday’s ceremony to see if Belfast wins the prestigious Best Picture award.

Cases of the BA.2 subvariant, which spreads 80% faster than Omicron, have more than doubled in the United States in the last two weeks, and it is poised to become the dominant variant.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical advisor, stated this week that cases were on the rise.

Masks are becoming mandatory indoors in many hotels, bars, and other public places, and it is expected that serving staff at the event on Sunday will be required to wear them.

While the build-up to the biggest night in film is always frenetic, there is a palpable sense of panic in Hollywood.

Behind the scenes, there is also growing tension after Academy executives decided to shorten the actual televised ceremony in order to boost ratings. With viewing figures plummeting in recent years, eight categories will now be pre-recorded.

This week, Matthew Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, chastised the studio for its “detrimental” plan to pre-tape, claiming it was unjust to the little-known members nominated.

“Behind-the-scenes workers get little recognition as it is,” he added.

Peter Kurland, a four-time Oscar-nominated sound mixer and board member of the Cinema Audio Society, resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday in protest of plans to eliminate live awards for categories such as Best Sound.

It is the second humiliating resignation in three weeks, following the resignation of Tom Fleischman, an Oscar-winning re-recording mixer.This year, the Best Actress category has sparked the most public interest. Penelope Cruz, Kristen Stewart, Olivia Colman, Jessica Chastain, and Nicole Kidman are all vying for the night’s top prize.

EMBARRASSING RESIGNATION

Beyonce will perform Be Alive from King Richard, a song about Venus and Serena Williams’ father, while Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas will perform No Time To Die from the James Bond film of the same name.

The ceremony will be hosted by a trio of presenters: Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall. Those attending the Oscars and the Academy’s honorary Governors Awards on Friday will be required to submit two negative PCR tests as well as proof of vaccination.

Presenters and performers at the Oscars will not be required to be vaccinated, but will be required to demonstrate that they have recently tested negative for the virus.