A SINN Féin councillor has thanked well-wishers on social media after undergoing surgery for meningitis.
The family of Naomi Bailie had appealed for prayers as she prepared to undergo surgery after falling ill with meningitis last month.
Over the past week, Ms Bailie has taken to social media to thank well-wishers.
In a tweet thanking health minister Michelle O'Neill for her good wishes, Ms Bailie wrote: "Can't praise the staff in the RVH enough."
Ms Bailie, who is married and has a baby daughter, is understood to have fallen ill on December 7. She was left critically ill and was placed in an induced coma, but in recent weeks she has shown signs of improvement.
Her father, Martin Bailie, wrote on Facebook: "Thank you our daughter Naomi is rising to the challenge in front of her and is getting a little better now."
A councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for the Downpatrick area, Ms Bailie was the first chairwoman of the council when it was created last year.
From Ballygalget, she is also an adviser to Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard.
Fellow Sinn Féin councillor Willie Clarke said that while her progress was "positive", there was "still a long way to go".
Mr Clarke said: "It is positive. She is remembering things and and she has a long way to go to build up her strength.
"She is receiving visitors and a number of party colleagues have been to see her. Naomi's greatest wish will be to get back with her family.
"Obviously work commitments are secondary. Her health is the priority."
