HHS data shows local hospitals nearly full

Local hospitals in North County and Southwest Riverside County hospitals are nearly full, and intensive care units are slammed with patients as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, according to the latest data from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Per data released on Jan. 3, 51% of patients at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, the closest San Diego County hospital to Fallbrook, were positive for COVID-19.

In addition, 45% of patients at Temecula Valley Hospital, 53% of patients at Southwest Healthcare System and 66% of patients at Loma Linda University Medi...