Former President George H. W. Bush's health is improving, his family announced Wednesday afternoon.
He has been moved out of the intensive care unit at Houston Methodist Hospital and into a regular patient room, and "is expected to continue his recovery there for several more days," according to spokesman Jim McGrath.
Bush "is alert and talking with hospital staff, family and friends, and his doctors are very pleased with his progress," according to the statement, which continues:
"President Bush naturally thanks everyone for their prayers and good wishes. He also wants to assure everyone that, as good as he feels now, he is more focused on the Houston Rockets closing out their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves than anything that landed him in the hospital."
The former president's personal thanks were also posted on Twitter earlier Wednesday for the efforts undertaken after the death of Barbara Bush last week.
Bush's morning tweet stated, in full:
"My family and I thank Mayor @SylvesterTurner, his terrific staff, @houstonpolice, @METROHouston, @SBCHouston, @StMartinsDOK — and really all Houstonians — for your professionalism and obvious care in making Barbara's visitors and funeral guests feel so welcomed. Thank you all."
The former president is recovering from a blood infection in a Houston hospital. He was admitted Sunday, one day after Mrs. Bush's funeral and burial.