George H. W. Bush's longtime Houston chief of staff says in a statement Thursday evening that the 88-year-old, who has been hospitalized for longer than a month, is receiving excellent care.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Former President George H.W. Bush is unlikely to leave the Houston hospital where he's being cared for anytime soon but would tell well-wishers to "put the harps back in the closet,'' an aide says.

Bush's longtime Houston chief of staff Jean Becker says in a statement Thursday evening that the 88-year-old, who has been hospitalized for longer than a month, is receiving excellent care after a "terrible case of bronchitis which then triggered a series of complications.''

She also urges people keep him and his family in prayers.

Bush has been in intensive care since Sunday. He was admitted to Methodist Hospital Nov. 23.