AC/DC rumor update (updated)

Update:
From the group's facebook page:

After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.
In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.

Uh, okay, so this is more ambiguous but still positive.  "Taking a break" suggests a hiatus, and "will continue to make music" suggests a return.  

At this point I will be a bit upset at the band's PR person if they turn around and tell us later that, yeah, it's over.  While I don't expect them to make such a decision hastily, I can't imagine they don't have a prognosis by now.

The way this release is worded, I doubt we'll actually see (hear) someone else play rhythm guitar on a forthcoming album... I could see a situation where the rest of the band goes into the studio and does their thing, with Angus laying down temporary rhythm tracks, and Malcolm coming in if/when he recovers. 

Also, a reminder that Malcolm skipped the 1988 tour in support of Blow Up Your Video. (He was temporarily replaced by his nephew.)  I'd be kind of surprised if they did an anniversary tour without him, but at the same time I wouldn't rule it out; in fact, because I can't imagine someone else doing the rhythm tracks on a studio album, I have to imagine that this scenario is what the release is hinting at.

Original:
Frontman Brian Johnson: reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

He also confirmed that one member of the band has been having health problems, but not severe enough to preclude any possibility of a future album.

So there's that.

While I have the utmost sympathy, I can't understand why a) they let the rumor run for at least a full day, b) why they're feeding speculation rather than just coming out and saying what's up. I get that they want some privacy, but I doubt that's actually going to happen.