Howard Zucker resigns as New York health commissioner

 INA-sources

Dr. Howard Zucker, the New York state health commissioner during the Covid-19 crisis who became engulfed in the Cuomo administration's nursing home controversy, is stepping down.
 
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Zucker's departure Thursday during a Covid-19 briefing, adding that he will stay on as health commissioner until the position is filled. Zucker's resignation marks the departure of one of the last remaining prominent members of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration.
"I agree with his decision," Hochul said Thursday. "He worked hard through the pandemic, and I want to thank him for his service on behalf of the people of the state."
"I wanted to take the first 45 days to assemble a new team going forward," said Hochul, who took office in August after Cuomo resigned following a report that found he sexually harassed 11 women, which he denied. "That process is ongoing and he understands and he respects that."
 
Despite initial praise, the Cuomo administration received mounting criticism for its response to the pandemic. State Attorney General Letitia James issued a report in January that found administration officials undercounted Covid-19 deaths among nursing home residents by approximately 50%. In a statement at the time, Zucker denied there was an undercount.
 
Source:CNN