California public health director resigns

Updated: Aug 10, 2020 / 04:42 AM CDT

California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell speaks to members of the press at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. Newsom spoke about the state’s response to novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a possible first case of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in California in the general public.(AP Photo/Randall Benton)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The head of California’s public health department has resigned.

Dr. Sonia Angell said she’s departing from her role as director and state public health officer for the California Department of Public Health in a letter released late Sunday.

The announcement comes just days after the state announced a fix for a glitch that caused a lag in collecting coronavirus test information that’s used to make decisions about reopening businesses and schools. Angell did not give a specific reason for her departure.

The Health and Human Services Agency has tapped two people to fill Angell’s positions. One will be the acting health director, and the other will be the acting state public health officer.