Former CDC Director Robert Redfield To Serve As Senior Public Health Adviser In Maryland's Fight Against COVID-19
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Robert Redfield is joining Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's team of advisors tasked with helping guide the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Hogan announced Redfield will serve as a senior public health adviser. In that role, Redfield will help plan the state's response to new COVID-19 variants as well as vaccination and reopening plans.
More Updates From Gov. Hogan's News Conference:
- Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Sites To Open This Month In Hagerstown, Waldorf, Salisbury, Gov. Larry Hogan Says
- Next Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine Shipment Not Coming To Maryland Until March 18, Gov. Hogan Says
- Gov. Hogan To Outline Equity Plans For COVID-19 Vaccinations In Maryland Thursday
- Merck Will Begin To Produce Johnson & Johnson One-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine, Officials Say
Hogan touted Redfield's leadership of the agency and his work on the Operation Warp Speed board while also defending his appointment, adding most of the criticism of the Trump administration's handling of the pandemic was not directed at Redfield or the CDC.
"I'm not going to sit here and defend everything that the President said or did—or re-litigate the past. I'm not sure Dr. Redfield wants to do that either," Hogan said. "I don't think most of that criticism was ever directed at him or his leadership of that agency, which I think I'm very proud of."
Redfield said he was disappointed by "the inconsistency of messaging" during his time with the agency but added he does not see the same issue with Hogan.
"I'm proud of what we did. We did put science first," he said.
Watch Gov. Hogan's Full News Conference Below:
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
