With vehicle lights flashing and sirens blaring, police and firefighters from at least a dozen Oakland County communities made several solidarity laps around Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield on Friday, April 24.

Ascension Providence staff stood outside, waved and snapped photos on their phones as the parade of police and fire vehicles circled the hospital several times.

The custom has become common at area hospitals, as first responders want to show their support for health care workers putting in long hours and risking their lives treating patients with COVID-19.

An Oak Park firefighter gives a thumbs up as he lines up for the solidarity laps at Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield on Friday, April 24. The custom has become common at area hospitals, as first responders want to show their support for health care workers treating patients with COVID019

Its an opportunity for first responders to show that we appreciate them, said Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren. Theyre to be commended for their sacrifice. What would this state, this city be like if they didnt come to work every day?

The Southfield area has been the hardest hit area in Oakland County for COVID-19 cases, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to the county government's ZIP code map, which shows the number of cases and local infection rate.

As of Thursday, April 23, the four zip codes in the Southfield area show 1,307 cases with 131 deaths and the rate of infection between 156 to 194 cases per 10,000 residents.

Southfield and Lathrup Village have a combined population of about 85,000. Troy, which has a similar population, had 335 cases and 31 deaths as of Thursday, with almost half of each from just one of its four zip codes.

The cases in Southfield totaled 1,028 on April 13, growing by nearly 300 in 10 days.

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Solidarity: First responders show support for health care workers fighting coronavirus at Ascension Providence Hospital - The Oakland Press