Stamford Hospital on Friday unveiled its new COVID-19 Reflection Area, which is dedicated to front-line workers and those who died from COVID-19.

The hospital's first COVID-19 patient arrived March 11, 2020, but it soon was inundated by people with the virus.

A year ago Friday, the hospital reached its highest number - 151 patients.

"Those dark days from last spring represent a period of time that will live in our minds for the rest of our lives," says Dr. Rohit Bhalla, the senior vice president of clinical affairs and quality at Stamford Health.

Initially, the city of Stamford was hit harder than any community in the state. Members of the Connecticut National Guard came in to help with the influx of COVID-19 patients - recommissioning a closed down building as an extra care site.

"Stamford Hospital stood up against the challenge... we were fortunate that they were able to pivot and expand their ICU capacity to four times what they had prepared for normally," says Stamford Mayor David Martin.

The new area includes a plaque and newly planted cherry blossom tree in honor of all those who fought, lost and cared.

"While it was a year filled with deep sorrow and incredibly difficult days, it was also a year filled with hope, unity and perseverance," says Stamford Health CEO Kathy Silard.

News 12 is told that for every successful patient discharge, the staff plays the same song - "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. It's happened 1,141 times so far.

"Those moments, those discharges, the words - 'here comes the sun,' continues to be the light at the end of the tunnel," Silard says.

Stamford Hospital says its work has not slowed down. The same team that's worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic is now getting the vaccine out there.

To date, they've given out more than 85,000 shots.