Top California health official steps down

California Governor Gavin Newsom is giving limited details about the abrupt resignation of the state's top health official following a data glitch that backlogged nearly 300,000 coronavirus records.

Newsom addressed the public Monday for the first time since state and county health officials revealed the data glitch last week.

Dr. Sonia Angell resigned from her job as California public health officer on Sunday. Newsom said everyone is accountable for what happens in their departments and that ultimately the buck stops with him, but he was opaque about the circumstances of her departure. He says the data problem is fixed and he'll look into overhauling its health data management system.

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 Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had appointed her to the dual roles.

Newsom thanked Angell for her service to the state and her work to help steer our public health system during this global pandemic.

Sandra Shewry, vice president of external engagement for California Health Care Foundation, will fill the role of acting health director.

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.

There have been more than 10,200 deaths statewide, with the great majority in Los Angeles County.

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health professor Richard Jackson served as state public health officer under Governor Schwarzenegger's administration.

He said he hopes state officials will now work to drastically improve the state's information technology systems.

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.