Testing center problem: testing centers operated by Center for COVID Controls shut down in two states

Center for COVID Control's testing sites to 'pause' as authorities in 2 states shut down centers An Illinois-based coronavirus testing company under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice announced a "one-week pause on all operations." Grace Hauck USA TODAY

CHICAGO – A nationwide coronavirus testing company under investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice and which has drawn criticism from customers in several states announced on Thursday a "one-week pause on all operations."

The pause was expected to take effect Friday through Jan. 21 at all Center for COVID Control testing sites. The Illinois-based company's website says it has more than 300 locations in the U.S. across several states. Two of those, Massachusetts and Washington, took action this week to shut down several of the company's testing centers in their communities.

In an internal company memo addressed to "all location owners and managers" and obtained by USA TODAY, the Center for COVID Control cited "increased scrutiny by the media into the operations of our collection sites" over the past week. The company says it processes 80,000 test requests per day.

"This, coupled with various customer complaints, resulted in various state health departments and even Department of Justice taking a keen interest in our company," the notice said.

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The company officially confirmed the weeklong pause in a press release, saying "unusually high patient demand has stressed staffing resources." ...

The news of the weeklong pause comes after the Oregon Department of Justice opened a civil investigation into the Center for COVID Control this week on suspicion of Unfair Trade Practices Act violations, spokeswoman Kristina Edmunson said.

At least two people filed complaints about the sites to the Oregon Justice Department late last year, Edmunson said. Since USA TODAY reported on the company last week, another ten people have filed complaints, Edmunson said. 

In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, issued cease and desist letters to three Center for COVID Control locations Wednesday, spokesperson Ann Scales said.

"Residents are urged not to visit the Center for COVID Control for a COVID-19 test," Scales said.

The sites in Needham, North Dartmouth and Worcester were performing tests "without the required state approvals" and were ordered to "immediately cease providing all services that require clinical laboratory licensure," Scales said. ...