The state Department of Health ordered Embry Health to immediately stop collecting specimens for COVID-19 testing because it does not have a license, permit or written approval to do so.
Embry Health operated testing sites at Kahala Mall, Kaimana Beach Hotel, Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park, and the Wahiawa and Waipahu district parks on Oʻahu. It also collected specimens at the Mauna Kea Beach Resort on the Big Island.
All medical laboratories must be regulated under state and federal health statutes to meet certain standards.
Embry Health continued to operate its testing sites and labs after withdrawing its clinical laboratory certification on Oct. 19, the department said.
They had to pay an administrative penalty fee of more than $200,000. They are not allowed to reopen or operate collection depots in the State of Hawai‘i without a valid state certificate, permit or obtaining prior written approval from the DOH.
Those who have received a PCR exam from Embry Health should consult with their health care advisor and seek testing through another provider.
