George HW Bush improving, but remains in intensive care

  • 22/01/2017
George HW Bush (Getty)
George HW Bush (Getty)

Former US President George HW Bush is recovering well from pneumonia but will remain in the intensive care unit at the Texas hospital where he has spent the last week, a spokesman says.

Barbara Bush, his wife, was also taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital this week with bronchitis but may be well enough to be discharged on Sunday, the statement said.

"Following another good night's rest, President and Mrs Bush have both continued to improve over the past 24 hours," Jim McGrath, the spokesman, said in his statement.

"President Bush is breathing well without any mechanical assistance, his spirits are high, and he is looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule."

Bush, who at 92 is the nation's oldest living ex-President, was the only living former President who did not attend the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington on Friday. His son George W Bush, another former President, attended the ceremony.

Another one of his sons, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, ran unsuccessfully against Mr Trump last year for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

Reuters