KERN COUNTY, Calif. (KERO) — Kern County hospitals will be taking intensive care unit patients from other counties if that county has run out of beds.

According to Kern County Public Health, the process is to poll hospitals in other counties for availability to take out-of-county transfers.

This is part of the California Mutual Aid System.

According to the California Department of Public Health, right now the San Joaquin Valley is at 4.5% ICU capacity overall.