ATHENS – Even as the COVID-19 pandemic is lingering and another wave feared looming, the President of the National Organization for Public Health (EODY) has resigned without saying why.

Panagiotis Arkoumaneas sent a letter to new Health Minister Thanos Plevris, who has no experience in the field and had to apologize for past comments seen favorable to right-wing extremists, but no reason was given, said Kathimerini.

Arkoumaneas, however, announced it on a Facebook post, adding to the mystery of why he quit abruptly as the New Democracy government's Eleftheria (Freedom) campaign to get people vaccinated has stalled.

Ministry sources not identified told the paper that Plevris accepted Arkoumaneas’ resignation, while thanking him for his “precious contribution” to EODY and the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, typical boilerplate comments designed not to reveal reasons for an official's departure.

In his post, Arkoumaneas thanked the government for heading EODY during the pandemic and also applaued the advisory panel of doctors and scientists whose recommendations for health measures are more often being set aside as the focus has turned to restoring the economy.

EODY publishes daily pandemic statistics, among other information and has been especially visible since the health crisis began early in 2020 and as it's surging once again, retaining its grip.