Hospital closure impact continues as Madera County extends state of emergency

Madera County Supervisors on Tuesday extended a state of emergency declared Friday by Sheriff Tyson Pogue after Madera Community Hospital shut its doors.

The hospital closed after a plan by Trinity Health to buy the facility collapsed during negotiations between Trinity and California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The board’s resolution says the lack of hospital services is expected to deplete resources, including ambulance police and fire services, and formally seeks state and federal help.

Fresno County on Tuesday also issued an emergency declaration due to the Madera hospital closure because of the expected impact on Fresno County hospitals and patient services.

Pogue said the closure “will have widespread effects on our community as whole. This declaration will request needed resources to (provide service and safety to Madera County citizens.)“