The man who's been Interior Health's spokesperson on the pandemic was released from custody today after being arrested yesterday on child sex charges.
Dr. Albert de Villiers appeared in court today charged with sexual assault and sexual interference in relation to alleged incidents in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
That's where he worked before taking on the role of Chief Medical Health Officer at Interior Health.
"These are serious charges of course and they are very concerning to us and obviously everyone in interior health in particular," said BC Health Minister Adrian Dix, when asked about the case.
"We’re limited about what we can say as it works its way through the judicial system."
Dix suggested the events will not distract from the duty to continue to look after the health of residents in the Southern Interior.
“Our efforts will continue to be at the highest possible level,” he said. "It won't distract us at all."
The Grande Prairie RCMP say the charges come after allegations of sexual assaults against a young child that were reported to them on May 28.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2018 and 2020.
KelownaNow visited de Villiers home to ask if he had anything to say about the charges.
A woman answered the door and when asked if he had anything to say about the charges answered "no, nothing."
His next scheduled court appearance is June 30 in Grande Prairie.
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