New York health chief, defender of Cuomo policies, resigning

By MARINA VILLENEUVE
Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker has submitted his resignation. The governor thanked Zucker for his service to the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hochul said Thursday that Zucker has agreed to stay on until the state names a new commissioner. Zucker was appointed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo as state health commissioner in 2015. He has faced heated criticism over the state’s COVID-19 response, particularly in nursing homes. Data released by the state earlier this year show 15,800 people living in nursing homes and other long-term care homes in New York have died of COVID-19.