UPDATE: Monday 6/22,
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) -- United States Senator Robert Byrd has resumed some of his official duties, including signing some bills as President pro tempore in the Senate.

Byrd's office released an official update on the Senator's condition Monday. They say the Senator is still in the hospital while undergoing physical therapy and treatment for his staph infection. The statement says he is not expected in the office this week.

Staffers say Byrd is working with staff on upcoming appropriations bills.

UPDATE: Monday 6/15
WASHINGTON (WSAZ) -- Members of Senator Robert C. Byrd's staff announced in a news release Monday afternoon that the Senator has started a round of physical therapy in anticipation of his release from the hospital in the near future.

They say his spirits are extremely high and he continues to appreciate the well wishes from all, especially the people of West Virginia.

Staff members say even if he is released from the hospital, he is not expected to be back in his office this week.

The release also notes that Senator Byrd has asked Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Daniel Inouye to oversee the mark-up of the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The bill is slated for markup on Wednesday.

The Washington Post has an article dated Tuesday in which it points out that Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Robert Byrd are not present while debate gets underway this summer on key issues, including health care. The Democratic votes would give the Democratic Party a caucus of 60 Senators for the first time since 1978, when Byrd was Majority Leader.

Byrd's office has not disclosed much information on the Senator's condition, including where he is hospitalized. The Post article mentions that even Democratic leaders don't have accurate information, pointing out that Majority Leader Harry Reid said Byrd was getting out of the hospital on May 19th.

The Wall Street Journal noted that Byrd's absence was notable when it came to legislation regarding tobacco, as the Senate considers stronger regulation.

UPDATE: Monday, June 8 @ 3:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) -- United States Senator Robert Byrd won't be back to work this week, according to his office.

A spokesperson released the following statement Monday afternoon:

"Senator Byrd continues to recover from a staph infection in the hospital. He is not expected to return to Capitol Hill this week but is in daily contact with his staff.

Senator Byrd very much appreciates all the well wishes he has received from his colleagues on Capitol Hill, his fellow West Virginians, and all those who have sent good wishes from across the country. He was particularly touched by a hand-made card from the outgoing Senate Page class wishing him a speedy recovery and return to the Senate Chamber, as well as a note from his dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy, which in part stated, Banish the germs and hurry back! West Virginia needs you, the Senate needs you, the nation needs you, and so do I."

UPDATE: Monday, June 1 @ 1:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, the Senate's longest-serving member, has developed a serious infection and is being treated in the hospital with antibiotics.

Byrd's office described the staph infection Monday as minor and said he's responding well to treatment. But it has been enough to delay his release from a Washington-area hospital, where he has remained for treatment of an earlier infection for more than two weeks.

Staph infections differ in severity depending on the site of infection, but are more of a threat to people with weakened immune systems and underlying chronic illnesses. Byrd is 91.

In a statement, Byrd's office says he was hospitalized late Friday, is being treated with antibiotics and is expected to be released in a few days.

The statement says that according to doctors, the temperature spike was caused by a minor infection.

The West Virginia Democrat has been in Congress for more than a half-century. He stepped down in November as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Statement from Senator Robert Byrd's Office
Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., in a precautionary measure, was hospitalized late Friday afternoon with a spike in his temperature that, according to his doctors, was caused by a minor infection. He is being treated with antibiotics, responding well, and is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.

Additional information will be provided when necessary.