An article by NJ.com reports that while the threat of coronavirus in New Jersey remains low, the state is considered to be one of the best prepared states in the nation to handle a public health crisis, according to a Washington, D.C.- based health policy organization. Every acute care hospital in New Jersey is required to have its own plan to prepare for and respond to outbreaks like COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, as well as measure surge capacity, an estimate of what a hospital can handle in terms of patients, available beds and equipment. Some hospitals have agreements allowing them to transfer patients to facilities with more capacity if they become inundated. Urgent care centers alleviate some of the burden by evaluating patients and triaging them based on the severity of their illness.  Dr. Gary Mazer, director of emergency management for Summit Health, cites how Summit Health and CityMD urgent care centers with emergency trained providers are always prepared for a surge in patient volume.