Former President George HW Bush’s condition improved enough for him to be moved on Saturday out of the intensive care unit and into a regular room at the Houston hospital where he was admitted last month for respiratory problems, a spokesman said.
Bush, 88, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, entered Methodist Hospital on Nov. 23 for treatment of what doctors said was bronchitis, and he was moved into the ICU last Sunday after suffering a number of medical complications, including a persistent fever.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the air passages through the lungs.
“President Bush’s condition has improved, so he has been moved today from the intensive care unit to a regular patient room at the Methodist Hospital to continue his recovery,” the family said in a statement from his spokesman, Jim McGrath.
“The Bushes thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes,” it added.
McGrath said on Friday that Bush’s condition was getting better and that he was even singing at times in his communications with doctors and nurses.