Former Mayor Koch Expected To Leave Hospital In Time For 88th Birthday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- How's he doing? Much better.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch is reported to be getting better from a respiratory infection and expects to leave the hospital just in time to celebrate his 88th birthday.

Koch said Friday through a spokesman: "There's no fear of my not making my birthday party next week."

The spokesman, George Arzt, said doctors now think Koch will be released Monday.

His birthday is Wednesday and he is expected to attend an annual reunion with members of his administration at Gracie Mansion.

Koch was admitted Tuesday to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital with pneumonia and the flu. He also was hospitalized in September. He was treated for anemia, was released after three days and said he planned to head straight to his office at a law firm.

Koch served three terms from 1978 to 1989.

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