The Latest: Bush out of ICU, alert and doctors pleased

By: The Associated Press

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 1:45 PM

HOUSTON (AP) The Latest on the health of former President George H.W. Bush. (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

A family spokesman says former President George H.W. Bush is out of intensive care after being hospitalized a day after his wife's funeral.

Spokesman Jim McGrath said Wednesday that the 93-year-old former president has been moved to a regular patient room and is expected to remain at Houston Methodist Hospital for "several more days."

Bush is being treated for an infection that spread to his blood.

McGrath says Bush is as "alert and talking with hospital staff, family and friends," and that doctors are "very pleased with his progress."

The nation's 41st president has been hospitalized since Sunday, a day after the funeral for Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years.

McGrath says Bush is thankful for prayers and good wishes. He says the former president is more focused on the Houston Rockets playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves "than anything that landed him in the hospital."

The Rockets lead the Timberwolves 3-1 in their best-of-seven NBA playoff series.

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11:10 a.m.

Former President George H.W. Bush is thanking Houston for its "professionalism and obvious care" during the memorials and services for his wife, Barbara Bush.

In a tweet posted Wednesday morning, the 93-year-old Bush thanks Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the city police and transit agency, Second Baptist Church and St. Martin's Episcopal Church "and really all Houstonians" for "making Barbara's visitors and funeral guests feel so welcomed."

The former first lady died April 17.

The 41st president makes no mention of his own health in his tweet. He has been in Houston Methodist Hospital since Sunday, a day after his wife's funeral, for treatment of an infection that's spread to his blood.

A family spokesman has said Bush is "responding and recovering."

The Latest: Bush out of ICU, alert and doctors pleased

Former Presidents George W. Bush, left, and George H.W. Bush arrive at St. Martin's Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip )

The Associated Press

This Saturday, April 21, 2018, photo provided by the Office of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, shows Bush, front center, and past presidents and first ladies Laura Bush, from left, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and current first lady Melania Trump in a group photo at the funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush, in Houston. Barbara Bush died Tuesday, April 17. She was 92. (Paul Morse/Courtesy of Office of George H.W. Bush via AP)

The Associated Press

This Saturday, April 21, 2018, photo provided by the Office of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush shows Bush's socks during the funeral service for his wife, Barbara Bush, in Houston. Barbara Bush was known for bringing awareness to AIDS patients and for her work promoting literacy, which her husband subtly honored Saturday by wearing socks printed with blue, red and yellow books. (Paul Morse/Courtesy of Office of George H.W. Bush via AP)

The Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 1987, file photo, Vice President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, with their son George W. Bush, far left, wave to supporters who turned out in Houston, to hear him announce he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. George H.W. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston with an infection, just after attending the funeral of his wife, Barbara, a spokesman said Monday, April 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky, File)

The Associated Press

FILE - In this April 10, 1985, file photo, U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush reacts after he throws the ceremonial first pitch during the New York Mets season opener with the St. Louis Cardinals at New York's Shea Stadium in N.Y. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston with an infection, just after attending the funeral of his wife, Barbara, a spokesman said Monday, April 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine, File)

The Associated Press