Former President George H.W. Bush was taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital where he was admitted to the intensive care unit for having pneumonia. His wife, Barbara, was also hospitalized after experiencing cough and fatigue.
The former president, who has already been in the hospital for five days, went through a medical procedure "to protect and clear his airway that required sedation," as explained by family spokesman Jim McGrath said.
According to McGrath’s official statement, the 92-year-old has been stable and continues to rest comfortably at the hospital. However, he remains confined for observation purposes.
Bush was initially taken to the hospital for shortness of breath. An acute respiratory problem caused by pneumonia was detected, and McGrath later on spoke to The Associated Press that the doctors were pleased with the smooth procedure. Although the doctors believed Bush would be released before this week ends after his treatment is completed, his confinement has been extended and there is no exact date for his release.
Meanwhile, the 41st President’s wife, Barbara, also felt unwell. Her bouts of cough had been experienced for the past weeks; she was recently feeling fatigued as well. According to McGrath, Barbara wanted the experts to check on her, thus a precautionary move. The physicians prefer to monitor the former first lady’s response to her current treatment before giving her permission to head home.
In a previous announcement from Bush's office this month, the couple will not be able to attend Donald Trump's inauguration due to the former president's health condition.
"My doctor says if I sit outside in January, it likely will put me six feet under. Same for Barbara. So I guess we're stuck in Texas," Bush wrote in a letter addressed to Trump.
Nonetheless, his son, former president George W. Bush, is expected to be present at the inauguration and has no plans of travelling to Houston.
