Health & Fitness

Alicia Keys' Anthem Celebrates Coronavirus Victories At Hospital

Every time a coronavirus patient is discharged from Montefiore Medical Center, the loud speakers blare, "Let's hear it for New York."

Alicia Keys' famous ode to New York is played every time a coronavirus battle is won at Montefiore Medical Center.
Alicia Keys' famous ode to New York is played every time a coronavirus battle is won at Montefiore Medical Center. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY — For the medical professionals dealing with the overwhelming numbers of coronavirus patients, hearing a New York anthem blaring through their hospital's public address system is cause for celebration.

When Alicia Keys' sings "Let's Hear It For New York," the overworked staff at The Bronx's Montefiore Medical Center have something to smile about.

It means somewhere in the hospital, a coronavirus patient has been taken off a ventilator or is going home. The classic song is played every time a battle is won.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And Alicia Keys loves it.

A Montefiore Hospital worker took to Twitter Monday to share good news: during the first six hours of his shift, @firstsecndTh3RD heard the song play twice.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Replied Keys, "My heart flows wide open with the love I feel from this!!!!"

To keep up to date with coronavirus developments in NYC, sign up for Patch's news alerts and newsletter.

“Empire State of Mind,” a collaborative anthem produced by Keys and Jay-Z, has become a 5-times platinum song and took home two Grammys since its release in 2009.

The hospital worker, who did not respond to Patch's request for an interview, has since taken to sharing how many times the anthem plays.

People from across the U.S. replied to the tweet with messages of support for New York City, currently the epicenter of the world's COVID-19 crisis.

Wrote a Twitter user called Truth, "There’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in NY."

Coronavirus In NYC: Latest Happenings And Guidance


Email PatchNYC@patch.com to reach a Patch reporter or fill out this anonymous form to share your coronavirus stories. All messages are confidential.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from New York City