State rejects Fresno fairgrounds as site for coronavirus field hospital. County leader surprised

The state has all but rejected the Fresno fairgrounds as the site for 250 incoming government beds to treat coronavirus patients.

“The fairgrounds has technically not formally been rejected but based on some of the concerns the state had, there’s a very slim possibility it will be used,” Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said Monday. “We are working with our city partners to identify a more suitable site.”

Magsig said the state rejected the county’s first choice because many of the buildings on the fairgrounds were built decades ago, and did not meet current building codes. But that was news for the county.

“The county’s emergency plans have reflected the fairgrounds as a location to be used in case of emergency, so this came as a shock that the state would now reject the plans to use that site,” Magsig said.

Brian Ferguson, spokesman for the governor’s office of emergency services, said the state had not finalized decisions on any emergency field hospitals except for those in Santa Clara and Riverside. Fresno is one of eight cities around the state receiving reinforcements.

Fresno will still receive the materials committed by the state, including 250 beds as well as IV stands and personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks, as soon as a new site is identified and approved.