The number of hospitalizations in Madison County from the COVID-19 virus is dwindling. Vaccines, which appear to be a success so far, will increasingly become more readily available.

But the war has not been won.

“We’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel,’’ Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said during the weekly virus press briefing at the Huntsville City Council Chambers. “As we see that light, everyone wants to say ‘We’re done; we’re over with it.’

“We’re not over with it, yet. We still have to wear masks, we still have to stay apart and we still have to sanitize.’’

The statistics appear promising, however.

As of Wednesday, there were 35 COVID-19 patients in Huntsville Hospital facilities in Madison County: Six are in the ICU and three are on ventilators. Crestwood Medical Center had eight inpatients with three in ICU and two on ventilators.

Huntsville had 39 inpatients last week.

“We’re still seeing a steady downward trend as we’re moving forwards,’’ said Tracy Doughty, senior vice president of operations at Huntsville Hospital.

Doughty said the decline in cases is being seen throughout the area.

“No hospital in our region has enough COVID patients to have a huge impact on operations,’’ he said. “Hospitals are getting back to normal and doing the things we do as far as procedures and X-rays and surgeries. We’re pleased to announce we believe the vaccines are working.’’

Doughty said the vaccine site at John Hunt Park closed early Wednesday because of threats of severe weather. He said anyone who missed an appointment can come Thursday or Friday without making an appointment.

The vaccine site at the Jaycees Building is operated by Huntsville Hospital. It is open Monday-Friday with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday. In Madison County, 63,000 vaccines have been administered According to the John Hunt Park vaccine website, there are more than 53,000 people on its waiting list.

As vaccines are becoming more available, doctors’ offices and pharmacies are providing shots.

Doughty said the most pressing questions the hospital gets is about which vaccine they should get. As retiring Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers said recently, anyone wanting a vaccine should take whatever is available.

Doughty, who will succeed Spillers on July 1, agreed.

“Shopping around is not a good idea right now,’’ he said.

Doughty said Huntsville Hospital has partnered with the Huntsville Housing Authority and a handful of area churches to administer shots to people who otherwise wouldn’t get them.

Battle is optimistic things will be even better by summer if the community continues to follow safety guidelines.