Updated at 3:20 p.m.
Two private COVID-19 testing companies have been ordered to stop testing by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
A CDPHE investigation found that the Center for COVID Control and Macagain Corp., which operate a combined 11 testing sites in Colorado, have failed to report test results and cases to the state, according to a statement released by Weiser’s office.
Both companies received cease and desist letters from the state on Jan. 14.
The same investigation found that locations operated by the Illinois-based Center for COVID Control failed to be properly certified and licensed by the federal government to do COVID testing.
“Our consumer protection section also has received a significant number of complaints about safety conditions at their testing sites, including concerns about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. By violating these licensing requirements and ignoring health and safety protocols, the Center for COVID Control is putting Coloradans at risk and we’re taking action to protect public health,” Weiser said in the statement.
Center for COVID Control under investigation, scrutiny in other states
NBC News reports that the Center for COVID Control operates about 300 pop-up testing sites around the country and is under investigation in Illinois and Oregon. Rhode Island and Massachusetts have also issued cease and desist letters for its sites there. And its sites in California and Washington have been shut down for not being licensed.
The Center for COVID Control said it would not offer interviews when asked to respond to the Attorney General’s cease and desist letters. The company instead referenced a press release from Jan. 13 on its site, which said CCC was temporarily pausing testing at its sites across the country until Jan. 22, citing a strain on its staff due to the spreading omicron variant.
“CCC will use this operational pause for additional staff training in sample collection and handling, a refocus on customer service and communication practices, and ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines,” the statement said.
The statement was posted days after a USA Today Jan. 5 report about numerous complaints lodged against the Center for COVID Control across several states and after Oregon officials confirmed they were investigating the company.
MacAgain could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
These are the locations both companies operate in Colorado:
The Center for COVID Control operates the following locations:
● 6460 E Yale Ave Denver 80222
● 4775 S Broadway Englewood 80113
● 1750 Blake St. Denver 80202
And Macagain Corp. operates testing sites at these locations:
● 1546 28th St, Boulder 80303
● 3250 W 72nd St, Westminster 80030
● 155 Cook St, Denver 80206
● 620 Miller Ct, Lakewood 80215
● 1700 S College Ave. Fort Collins 80525
● 6830 S Yosemite Ct, Centennial 80112
● 3629 Betty Dr. Colorado Springs 80917
● 2910 Wood Ave, Colorado Springs 80907
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a response from the Center for COVID Control and details on the cease and desist letters.
