SPOKANE (AP) — Despite a fast-rising number of coronavirus cases, the Spokane County Health Board has fired health officer Dr. Bob Lutz.

The board voted 8-4 Thursday night in favor of firing Lutz, who was accused of insubordination against board administrator Amelia Clark.

Lutz released a statement through his attorney indicating that he still believes he was wrongfully fired.

Lutz has been the face of the community’s pandemic response, often making unpopular decisions ranging from enforcing bans on large gatherings, to advising schools to move to distance learning, to recommending the shuttering of major pieces of the economy.