QUEBEC'S PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR RESIGNS AS HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED BY OMICRON.

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada:

 Quebec Premier François Legault has accepted the resignation of the province's public health director, Dr. Horacio Arruda.

Arruda submitted his letter of resignation on Monday as the Omicron wave overwhelms hospitals across the province, forcing the health-care network to postpone surgeries and other medical services.

Arruda has held the position for nearly 12 years. He was reappointed to another three-year term in June 2020.

He said in the letter that, should the premier wish, he would continue to serve.

However, the premier has already selected Arruda's successor and will likely make the announcement during a news conference.