Connecticut Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell has been fired, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

Gov. Lamont says he has appointed Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre Gifford to serve as acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health, effective immediately.

Lamont made the announcement Tuesday in a press release and says, "I appreciate Commissioner Coleman-Mitchell’s willingness to join my administration and lead one of our most vital state agencies, which is responsible for overseeing so many critical public health need. Her service over the last year has been a great deal of help, particularly in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic that has brought disruption to many throughout the world. I thank her for her advocacy on behalf of the health and safety of our residents, and for being a dedicated partner in service to the State of Connecticut.”

Lamont told News 12 he wanted someone in that job who could "manage the pandemic in the recovery phase." 

A state official told The Associated Press that Gov. Lamont fired Coleman-Mitchell because of a series of missteps dating back to last year.

Coleman-Mitchell has been criticized for a slow response to COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes. She hasn't appeared at a press conference in five weeks, since news broke of her deputy quitting reportedly over a discrimination claim.

The official announcement did not say why Coleman-Mitchell was replaced.

Coleman-Mitchell says in part a statement, "I am proud of the work of the Department of Public Health during this time of unprecedented turmoil and threat to the public health. Our coordinated response to the COVID-19 public health crisis earned praise from public health experts around the country."

Her full statement can be found here.