ROME, ITALY - (ARCHIVE): A file photo dated December 4, 2016 shows Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arriving at polling station to cast his vote for a referendum on constitutional reforms in Rome, Italy. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio
Milan - Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi "showed a strong immune response" and appeared to be improving after being hospitalised last week with coronavirus, his doctor said Monday.
The 83-year-old media tycoon is being treated for a lung infection at San Raffaele hospital in Milan where he was admitted on Thursday night.
"The overall clinical picture appears to be improving and is consistent... with the resumption of a robust specific immune response," his doctor Alberto Zangrillo said.
Berlusconi tested positive for Covid-19 last week after returning from a holiday at his luxury villa in Sardinia.
Two of his children -- daughter Barbara, 36, and son Luigi, 31 -- have also contracted the virus, as has his companion Marta Fascina.
Following a check-up on Thursday evening at Berlusconi's home, Zangrillo insisted that the former PM go to hospital the same night.
On Friday, the doctor said the billionaire was "a patient at risk because of his age and previous illnesses", including open-heart surgery.
Zangrillo said Berlusconi had a lung infection that had been diagnosed early but that he was not on a ventilator.
Berlusconi had insisted on Wednesday that he would continue his political activities despite the positive test.
Regional elections are to be held in Italy in two weeks as well as a referendum on reducing the number of deputies in parliament.
