The City and partner agencies are investigating a network of COVID-19 testing clinics after residents reported suspicions to the City on social media.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available
STORY UPDATES
Update 5: Feb. 17, 3:00 p.m.
The Office of the Attorney General obtained a preliminary injunction in a case against the Center for COVID Control. As part of the court order, the company agreed to never again operate in Washington.
The case will now enter the discovery phase, and will continue on the merits of the legal claims.
“Calling this conduct a ‘scam’ is an understatement. It was unethical, illegal, and jeopardized the health of thousands of Washingtonians. Our investigation put a stop to Center for COVID Control’s Washington operations.”
Attorney General Bob Ferguson
Update 4: Jan. 31, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit today against the Center for COVID Control over invalid and false test results. Among other allegations, the testing center reportedly stored samples in trash bags, provided false-negative results, or sometimes no results at all.
Update 3: Jan. 13, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
The Lakewood Center for COVID Control site has cooperated with the City and has agreed to remain closed until it can secure a business license.
The process to obtain a business license is detailed on the Department of Revenue website. The municipality (the City of Lakewood) must endorse the license for it to proceed.
The City of University Place identified another local branch operating without a business license and posted a Notice & Order to cease operations.
The Center for COVID Control has issued a national statement that they will pause operations nationwide until Jan. 22, 2022.
“Center for Covid Control is committed to serving our patients in the safest, most accurate and most compliant manner. Regrettably, due to our rapid growth and the unprecedented recent demand for testing, we haven’t been able to meet all our commitments.”
– Aleya Siyaj, CCC founder and CEO
Update 2: Jan. 12, 2022, 6:45 p.m.
The City promptly notified the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Pierce County, Office of the Attorney General, Washington State Department of Health, City of Tacoma, City of University Place, and Joint-Base Lewis McChord of its action to close a COVID-19 testing site operating without a business license.
The Washington State Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General are both aware of national interest in the business.
The City has no present knowledge of impropriety at this location beyond operation without a business license.
The business voluntarily closed even before the Stop Work Order was issued, and agreed to remain closed as they work through the process to seek a business license.
DOH advises that COVID-19 scams are unfortunately common. Suspicious practices should be reported to the DOH Complaint Site and the Office of the Attorney General.
DOH recommends seeking testing at sites listed on the DOH website or local health department websites.
Update 1: Jan. 12, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
The City of Lakewood was notified through social media that a COVID-19 testing site was operating improperly in Lakewood near the intersection of Bridgeport & Custer.
City Code Enforcement visited the site and found it operating without a business license, among other concerns. The site closed today voluntarily, but a Stop Work Order has been issued. The City is also aware of national media interest in the Center for COVID Control.
“When a business is collecting personal information from thousands of customers and performing sensitive medical testing, yet they fail to produce a $73.00 business license, that is cause for concern. A Stop Work Order has been issued, so the business will not operate as we and partner agencies investigate.”
– Jim Kopriva, Communications Manager, City of Lakewood
The City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department will review the operation, and the City has notified local and state public health agencies to invite their assistance.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website lists legitimate local sites that offer free tests. Sites that charge a fee and sites not listed on the TPCHD website are not necessarily illegitimate.
Resident Concerns
These responses represent the City’s current understanding, and will be updated if necessary:
I visited this site; is my personal information at risk?
We have no present evidence of impropriety or illegal practices involving the personal information of customers.
The City of Lakewood is aware of national media interest in this operation. We have notified state agencies and law enforcement to invite their assistance.
I visited this site; was my COVID-19 test legitimate?
We have no present evidence of improper testing.
The City of Lakewood has notified state and local public health agencies to invite their assistance in reviewing the clinic’s testing practices and qualifications, as these are outside the purview of the Lakewood Police Department.