The Philadelphia Division of Public Well being warned residents on Monday to keep away from unauthorized pop-up tents offering COVID-19 checks within the metropolis.
The division mentioned it was notified final week of two pop-up tents that supplied free COVID-19 testing within the Middle Metropolis neighborhood.
"The employees who labored at these websites claimed they have been funded by FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]," the well being division mentioned in an announcement. "Over the weekend, it was confirmed that these websites weren't funded by FEMA."
The well being division mentioned it isn't clear if unauthorized pop-up websites provide respectable testing. Nevertheless, residents are suggested to keep away from them and name the well being division at (215) 685-5488 to report such websites.
"After we confirmed with FEMA that they don't seem to be funding something like this, we despatched a warning out to the general public to allow them to know to watch out about the place they're getting examined," James Garrow, a spokesman for the Division of Public Well being, advised native ABC affiliate WPVI-TV.
A spokesperson from FEMA advised Newsweek that the company has been involved with Philadelphia officers on the matter.
"The Metropolis of Philadelphia is right," the spokesperson mentioned. "FEMA shouldn't be affiliated with the websites being reported."
The town's well being division posted in regards to the pop-up websites on its official Twitter account Monday.
Final week, the Well being Division was notified of small pop-up tents that have been providing free COVID-19 testing working in Middle Metropolis. The employees who labored at these websites claimed they have been funded by FEMA. (1/3)
— Philadelphia Public Well being (@PHLPublicHealth) January 3, 2022
In keeping with The Philadelphia Inquirer, the unauthorized websites in query have been operated by Lab Elite, a Chicago-based firm that reportedly had a number of tents arrange in Middle Metropolis as of late December.
Two pop-up tents have been reportedly closed after the president of Lab Elite was suggested that a employee at one of many websites allegedly claimed to be a FEMA affiliate.
Newsweek contacted Lab Elite for remark however didn't obtain a response from both as of press time. Lab Elite's president, Zishan Alvi, did provide a remark to WPVI-TV.
"Saying that Lab Elite was employed by FEMA to do the testing over there, that info is wrong," Alvi mentioned.
Garrow mentioned that the town cannot suggest residents use such websites as a result of correct vetting hasn't been performed.
"Even when these locations are respectable, we do not learn about them, and it is robust for us to have the ability to separate a respectable group from a non-legitimate group," Garrow mentioned, per WPVI-TV.
The Philadelphia Division of Public Well being maintains a listing of licensed testing websites, in addition to a web based locator to assist folks discover accessible testing choices. The division has suggested residents that getting a COVID check could also be tough as a result of excessive demand and that anybody experiencing signs who can't discover testing ought to behave as if they're already constructive.
Philadelphia at the moment has a mean of two,654 new circumstances of COVID-19 per day during the last two weeks, which officers attribute to the emergence of the Omicron variant, chilly climate forcing folks indoors, and vacation gatherings.
Newsweek additionally contacted the Philadelphia Division of Well being for extra info however didn't hear again in time for publication.
Replace 01/04/22, 3:00 p.m. ET: with feedback from a FEMA spokesperson.
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