County health director alarmed after reports of CMS bus driver giving students COVID-19 swab tests

The Mecklenburg County health director said he is alarmed about reports of students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district getting their cheeks swabbed for COVID-19 tests from a school bus driver for money.

Parents have contacted Channel 9 this week after their children said a Charlotte-Mecklenburg school bus driver reportedly paid $5 to swab their cheeks while on the bus.

The first concerned parent spoke with Channel 9′s John Paul on Monday about the alleged incident.

The bus driver said it a COVID-19 test, according to the parents. CMS officials said the tests were not authorized and the bus driver was suspended.

Since Monday, at least three other families have said that their kids were swabbed, as well.

On Thursday, parents told Paul that CMS police pulled their children out of class to be interviewed.

What is the cheek swab for?

One question many viewers may have is, “What was the cheek swab for?”

Channel 9′s Joe Bruno spoke with Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Reynard Washington to try and find an answer.

“I don’t want our residents being subjected to unnecessary. Any anything that’s unnecessary,” Washington said.

Washington said he was alarmed about the reports of students receiving cheek swab COVID-19 tests from the school bus driver.

Washington said not only are those tests unauthorized, but they also aren’t always effective.

“It’s not what we have been encouraging advising or recommending, there are not providers that we, I guess, refer people to that are doing those kinds of tests,” Washington said.

While the county has not officially authorized any cheek swab COVID-19 test providers, Channel 9 has heard several reports from various people saying they were offered one.

Channel 9′s John Paul said he met a man named Bernard along North Tryon Street Wednesday. Bernard told Paul that he was paid $5 to get a cheek swab COVID-19 test outside of Urban Ministry.

Bernard also said that a company by the name of National Institute of Molecular Diagnostics required him to put on an event where others would receive $5 in exchange for a COVID-19 cheek swab test.

The lab for National Institute of Molecular Diagnostics is based inside a building in Greensboro.

Channel 9 has been investigating why the company is paying people to get their cheeks swabbed.

When Channel 9 attempted to contact them, a representative on site directed us to their attorney. That attorney has been difficult to reach.

At this time, it is unclear if this company is connected to the CMS school bus driver.

But Washington said the whole point of a COVID-19 test is for diagnosis and incentives, monetary or otherwise, are not needed.

“I can’t tell you why somebody would pay someone to do a COVID-19 test. Certainly, that’s not something that we have engaged in as a department and would not encourage, I’m not sure why you would do that,” Washington said.

Washington did mention that all COVID-19 tests are reimbursable. And while that reimbursement depends on the type of test being done, sometimes providers can get more than $100 per test.

What kind of permission does someone need to give COVID-19 tests?

One of the big questions being asked right now is whether you need to be a medical provider or have any license or permission to do COVID-19 testing.

Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke spoke with multiple agencies to receive an answer.

In the meantime, here’s what Stoogenke said he was able to find out.

Stoogenke said there’s a lot of money to made by testing people who don’t have insurance.

At least two federal laws created because of the pandemic allocated $1 billion each for COVID-19 testing uninsured people, according to reports.

Stoogenke said the federal government will reimburse the testers the “Medicare” rates, so we’re asking exactly what those rates are, in dollars and cents.

Stoogenke also asked the state attorney general if he’s had any complaints about COVID-19 testing schemes.

He said only two, but one was from a Charlotte person.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has the Acute and Home Care Licensure and Certification Section, which investigates complaints involving medical providers.

Channel 9 asked if it’s investigating any COVID-19 testers. We are waiting to hear back.