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DPH orders business to stop offering COVID-19 tests in Massachusetts

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Massachusetts health officials have ordered an out-of-state company to stop offering COVID-19 testing at three locations in the commonwealth. The Illinois-based Center for COVID Control has storefront locations in Needham, North Dartmouth and Worcester.The company’s website boasts 275 locations nationwide. Its linked Twitter account was suspended. Several complaints about the business were submitted to the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Attorney General, officials for both agencies confirmed.The AG’s office said most of the complaints it had received were related to “lengthy turnaround times for test results” and that those complaints are being reviewed. DPH said they determined in an assessment on Wednesday that the Center for COVID Control’s three locations were offering tests without the required state permits or registration. As a result, the state issued cease and desist letters ordering the business to stop providing those tests. Local officials helped to deliver the letters. “Residents are urged not to visit the Center for COVID control for a COVID-19 test,” a DPH representative wrote. DPH urged residents to use the state’s website to find approved testing locations. “CCC acknowledges this operational strain on customer access and delivery of results/status in some locations and remains determined to provide accurate, trusted testing for our thousands of customers,” the company said in a statement Thursday. “To this end, and to ensure the highest customer service and diagnostic quality, the company is announcing today it will temporarily pause further collection of patient specimens effective Friday, January 14, with plans to reopen Saturday, January 22.”The company said it would use this “operational pause” for additional staff training in sample collection and handling, a refocus on customer service and communication practices, and to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Massachusetts health officials have ordered an out-of-state company to stop offering COVID-19 testing at three locations in the commonwealth.

The Illinois-based Center for COVID Control has storefront locations in Needham, North Dartmouth and Worcester.

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The company’s website boasts 275 locations nationwide. Its linked Twitter account was suspended.

Several complaints about the business were submitted to the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Attorney General, officials for both agencies confirmed.

The AG’s office said most of the complaints it had received were related to “lengthy turnaround times for test results” and that those complaints are being reviewed.

DPH said they determined in an assessment on Wednesday that the Center for COVID Control’s three locations were offering tests without the required state permits or registration. As a result, the state issued cease and desist letters ordering the business to stop providing those tests.

Local officials helped to deliver the letters.

“Residents are urged not to visit the Center for COVID control for a COVID-19 test,” a DPH representative wrote.

DPH urged residents to use the state’s website to find approved testing locations.

“CCC acknowledges this operational strain on customer access and delivery of results/status in some locations and remains determined to provide accurate, trusted testing for our thousands of customers,” the company said in a statement Thursday.

“To this end, and to ensure the highest customer service and diagnostic quality, the company is announcing today it will temporarily pause further collection of patient specimens effective Friday, January 14, with plans to reopen Saturday, January 22.”

The company said it would use this “operational pause” for additional staff training in sample collection and handling, a refocus on customer service and communication practices, and to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.

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