COVID Testing At Brick Home 'A Lapse In Judgment': Company Owner

BRICK, NJ — The owner of a company that was providing COVID-19 testing at her Brick Township home says that testing was "a lapse of judgment" and says she is trying to work with authorities to offer mobile services for patients.

Marylin Morales, the owner of Safe Sites LLC, responded over the weekend to an email from Patch that was sent Thursday afternoon regarding the testing she had been conducting at a home on Kettle Creek Road before New Year's.

"As needs spiked with the omicron variant, demand also spiked, and in a lapse of judgment, I allowed patients over two days to come to my home on an emergency basis," Morales wrote. "This is not permitted in my residential neighborhood and was immediately ceased following a neighbor's complaint to township code enforcement, and a warning violation."

Officials with the Brick Township code enforcement office and the Ocean County Health Department said they had gone to the home and issued a warning to halt testing, and confirmed Morales had halted testing.

Morales said Safe Sites "is a registered NJ business providing medical concierge services, blood, and covid collection. We offer collection services for clients in patients' homes, businesses, or events."

"My company acts as a representative for a fully licensed and insured lab in NJ. All test results are provided by this lab directly to patients," she said. "I collect the samples as representative of this lab with a background of 11 years of offering mobile phlebotomy services. I have, during this period, provided blood, urine, and stool collection services in patients' homes, offices, or events for residents and businesses. I have an outstanding rating amongst all patients and have had zero patient complaints and zero prior complaints."

She did not identify which lab she is affiliated with.

"I pride myself on providing reputable and reliable services to many individuals, from seniors who cannot travel to local politicians and professional athletes," Morales said. "I have great pride in helping the community by providing collection services beneficial to residents and the medical community. My love for what I do and love for my patients defines me and what I do."

"The incident on 12/29/21 was strictly a zoning matter in my home township of Brick, NJ. I do not run a testing center or a lab from my home. I pride myself on helping a community I love and cherish," Morales said.

She said she is working with township officials to make sure she meets all local requirements. She additionally said she has "followed up with all government officials mentioned in this issue, many have not responded after several days and attempts."

One of the requirements is a New Jersey state license to collect test specimens in the home, said Nancy Kearney, communications manager for the state Department of Health, who said Safe Sites did not have that license.

"As of today, I have not been informed of any additional requirements needed to provide collection services at patients' homes, businesses, or events as a representative of an NJ lab in good standing," Morales said in her email over the weekend.

Morales said officials she has spoken with "have been extremely helpful in which I am appreciative, as the need for collection today is greater than ever."

"I look forward to serving our community for future testing needs and will continue to ensure we exceed any requirements to do so in our community," she said.

Previous report: COVID Test Site At Brick Township Home Shut Down: Authorities

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