California's Top Public Health Official Resigns, No Reason Given

Updated at 7:45 p.m.

California's top public health official has resigned, just days after the state announced how it plans to fix a glitch that had caused a lag in reporting coronavirus test results used to make decisions about reopening businesses and schools.

Dr. Sonia Angell said in a resignation letter made public late Sunday that she's departing from her role as director and state public health officer at the California Department of Public Health.

Her letter to staff, released by the California Health and Human Services Agency, did not give a specific reason for her departure. Angell often appeared during news conferences about California's response to the pandemic alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had appointed her to the dual roles.

“Decisions were made, and we’re moving forward,” Newsom said of the Sunday night resignation. “No one’s trying to hide that, no one’s trying to mask that. We’re owning that.”

The remarks came during Newsom’s first news conference since county and state health officials revealed the data error, which led to a lag in the reporting of nearly 300,000 coronavirus test results. The backlog has been resolved and the state expects to be able to finish updating its statewide virus trends in the next two to three days, he said.

Newsom did not answer Monday when reporters inquired whether he asked her to resign. But he said that he and Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, made “changes” and “adjustments” to the state’s leadership team. Angell could not be reached for comment.

In a statement, Newsom thanked Angell "for her service to the state and her work to help steer our public health system during this global pandemic, while never losing sight of the importance of health equity."

Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis said he was saddened and surprised by the announcement, but applauded Angell's work steering public health policy for the whole state.

"We’re really experiencing a series of different epidemics across the state. It’s not possible to design a uniform response given the varied demographics, economies, cultures, politics and COVID-19 burden across the largest and most diverse state," Willis told KQED.

"Dr. Angell knew that and always listened to local health officers," Willis said. "She knew how important it is to stay connected to the front lines when you’re developing policy at the state."

Sandra Shewry, vice president of external engagement for the California Health Care Foundation, will fill the role of acting health director, the Health and Human Services department said. Dr. Erica Pan, who was recently appointed state epidemiologist, will be the acting state public health officer.

Angell's announcement comes after California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said the test results glitch caused up to 300,000 records to be backlogged, though not all were coronavirus cases and some could be duplicates. The problem affected the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange, which is also known as CalREDIE.

"I am grateful to Dr. Angell for her service to the people of California," Ghaly said in his statement late Sunday. "Her leadership was instrumental as Californians flattened the curve once and in setting us on a path to do so again."

COVID-19 cases topped 554,000 in California on Sunday, state officials said. There have been more than 10,200 deaths statewide, with the great majority in Los Angeles County. However, the number of infections is thought to be higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

Dr. Eric Topol, head of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in San Diego, said the data collection problem was part of a bigger issue: The state’s failure to stay closed longer.

“It’s not just reopening early that led to a surge but reopening early led to a lack of data flow that was optimal. This is far from optimal. This is embarrassing,” he said.

He noted that it’s surprising that California, which has the best information technology concentration in the world, was unprepared.

This story includes reporting from The Associated Press.