Local ICUs approach capacity, but COVID-19 patients not a majority of hospitalizations – yet

As San Diego County and the rest of Southern California continues to trend upward in coronavirus cases, new data released by the federal Department of Health and Human Services last week painted a clearer picture of just how full hospitals are locally and across the country.

The HHS released detailed data Tuesday, Dec. 8, on hospitals’ number of occupied beds, ICU capacity, number of confirmed and suspected coronavirus patients and more.

In North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County, the data show hospitals are close to ICU capacity, with the lowest being at 70%, but COVID-19 patien...