The Australian state of Victoria’s head of government, Premier Daniel Andrews, has been moved out of intensive care at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after fracturing a vertebrae in a fall last week.
Andrews slipped on wet stairs at a Mornington Peninsula holiday rental while getting ready for work Tuesday morning.
He fractured the T7 vertebrae in the middle of his spine and broke several ribs in the fall.
He was initially treated at Peninsula Private Hospital but transferred to Alfred Trauma Centre in Melbourne after specialists assessed an MRI scan.
The Alfred Hospital has confirmed he will move from the intensive care unit into a ward on Saturday.
The director of the intensive care unit, Associate Professor Steve McGloughlin, said Andrews was in good spirits.
“Mr Andrews is comfortable and doing well,” he said.
McGloughlin confirmed there are no plans to operate on the premier’s injuries at this stage.
The premier wrote on Twitter and released a statement thanking the team at Alfred Hospital for their care and professionalism.
“Like all our health professionals, they are the best of Victoria,” the statement said.
“Heartfelt thanks to the entire team at @AlfredHealth for taking such good care of me. We’re so very grateful,” Andrews tweeted on Wednesday.
Andrews could be off work for up to three months.
Acting Premier James Merlino said he spoke to Andrews by phone on Thursday morning.
“It was great to touch base with him, make sure he’s okay. It was great to hear his voice,” Merlino told reporters.
“This is quite serious but he’s in the best place, getting the best care at Alfred (and) all the love and support of his family.
“I look forward to his recovery and returning to the job but at the moment, his complete focus needs to be on his recovery.”
