Bush out of intensive care unit

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HOUSTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush was moved from the intensive care unit of a Houston hospital where he has been for more than a month, officials said.

"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," his office said in a statement.

Bush was moved to the intensive care unit on Dec. 23 for the treatment of a persistent fever, CNN reported. He was originally admitted to the hospital with bronchitis and remained in the hospital for a lingering cough.

On Friday, spokesman Jim McGrath said: "The president is alert and, as always, in good spirits -- and his exchanges with doctors and nurses now include singing. The Bushes thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes and, like their doctors, are cautiously optimistic that the current course of treatment will be effective."