Since the beginning of the omicron surge in the United States, several COVID testing companies have emerged in Chicago. Two more of those COVID testing companies are currently being investigated by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. These two testing centers are Northshore Clinical Labs and O’Hare Clinical Labs. Additionally, both of these testing sites have received an F rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Most of the complaints have alleged that they have not received results in a timely manner if at all, according to the Better Business Bureau Chicago. There have been clients from the O’Hare Clinical Lab who state they were unable to reach anyone via the phone.
Last week, the Center for COVID Control agreed to close testing sites in Illinois and other locations for the foreseeable future pending multiple investigations, including the FBI.
A representative from O’Hare Clinical Lab states the delay is due to shortages in staffing. Shahraiz Khwawari states, “Some of the technicians got sick. Other ones didn’t want to work because of the holidays. The numbers rose up. It was not fun at all.”
Courtesy of Anthony Quintano (Flickr CCO)
O’Hare Clinical Labs has 100 over pop-up COVID testing sites across the United States. Allegations are coming from several states amid the continuation of the pandemic. According to Block Club Chicago, “O’Hare Clinical Lab has been reimbursed more than $186 million from the federal government for testing and treatments since the start of the pandemic.”
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has received 29 complaints about O’Hare and the Better Business Bureau has received more than a dozen accusations. The lab has seven COVID testing centers in Kentucky and there are allegations there as well. Authorities in Kentucky are investigating concerns.
In an emailed statement, a representative from the O’Hare Clinical Lab wrote:
The Omicron surge provided enormous unforeseen challenges for O’Hare Clinical Lab, as it did for many in the health care industry, and, for a short time, lab results were delayed. Many of our staff were out sick with COVID and so we were not able to provide our customers with the quick and reliable results they expect and deserve.
… We are very sorry for any previous delays.
According to a spokesperson, O’Hare Clinical Lab is currently reporting results within 24 to 72 hours. However, there are clients who are still waiting and they took their COVID test two weeks ago. The primary complaint is, “Are people being tested elsewhere while they are waiting?” Are people getting retested for COVID or are they out and about spreading the virus?
Northshore Clinical Labs’ website indicates all third-party COVID testing sites have been closed.
This news comes on the heels of the closing of the Center for COVID Control in suburban Chicago.
Written by Jeanette Vietti
Sources:
abc7: COVID TESTING SCAM? 2 MORE CHICAGO-BASED COVID-19 TEST COMPANIES INVESTIGATED BY IDPH, IL AG; by Jessica D’Onofrio
NBC Chicago: Some Sites Managed by Controversial COVID Testing Company Could Reopen; by Tom Jones, Lisa Parker, and Chris Chmura
Block Club Chicago: Another Major COVID Testing Company — Which Got $186 Million From The Feds — Is Under Investigation As Complaints Pile Up; by Keyyl Bauer
Featured Image by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kegan E. Kay Courtesy of Official U.S. Navy Page’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Anthony Quintano’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
