Former US President George H.W. Bush’s condition is improving and he is in good spirits – even singing, a spokesman said yesterday.

“President Bush remains in the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital, where he continues to improve,” family spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement issued from Houston.

“The president is alert and, as always, in good spirits – and his exchanges with doctors and nurses now include singing,” the spokesman said.

“The Bushes thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes and, like their doctors, are cautiously optimistic that the current treatment will be effective.”

Earlier in the week, McGrath said Bush had taken a turn for the worse, with a “series of setbacks” sending the 88-year-old to the intensive care unit with a “stubborn fever”.