The Oklahoma State Health Department replaced the state epidemiologist Thursday after a week of rapid developments with the coronavirus pandemic.

The department gave no clear explanation for reassigning Laurence Burnsed, who had been thrust into the role of public explainer about complicated aspects of the virus, its spread and testing.

At media briefings, Burnsed spoke quickly and seemed to struggle at times with translating technical language into layman's terms.

A news release issued Thursday evening said the department was deploying Burnsed “to provide epidemiological expertise to Oklahoma stakeholders.”