His resignation comes four days after The Charlotte Observer reported he'd shared on his Facebook posts calling stay-at-home orders "tyranny" and messages about COVID-19 conspiracies. Loftis' public posts came as the hospital system urged people to stay home to protect healthcare workers and one of CaroMont's own nurses was hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-19.

CaroMont previously said board members' personal opinions and beliefs "are not statements made on the behalf of CaroMont Health nor an indication of the health system's position on any topic, situation or circumstance."

CaroMont board members were told of Loftis' resignation Monday, according to CaroMont spokeswoman Meghan Berney. Loftis was not paid by the Gaston County health system, the Observer previously reported. He previously served as a Gaston County commissioner.

Board vice chairman David Payseur will step in as acting chairman, according to CaroMont.