NEW YORK (AP) – Luther Vandross remained in critical condition and still needs assistance to breathe, his publicist said Thursday.

The Grammy-winning singer, hospitalized at Weill-Cornell Medical College since his April 16 stroke, has not regained consciousness, publicist Lois Najarian said.

“There’s been no radical change is his condition,” she told The Associated Press.

Following his stroke, Vandross underwent a tracheotomy and had a tube inserted in his throat to assist his breathing, in part because he had contracted pneumonia.

Najarian said doctors remain hopeful the 52-year-old singer, whose hits include “Here and Now” and “Superstar,” will regain consciousness.

AP-ES-05-08-03 1935EDT

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