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Even though the number of vaccines is low, the number of COVID cases seems to be declining as well

Officials in Morgan County talk about the decreasing number of COVID cases, as well as vaccination sites facing the challenge of having low numbers of vaccine doses.

DECATUR, Ala. — We have some good, and not-so-good news out of Decatur. While the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations seems to be trending down, so is the number of available vaccines.

"As a district, we vaccinated at the health department, a little over 14,000 last week, and so, that's wonderful to see those people that are in that vulnerable population coming out and being vaccinated," said Michael Glenn, Assistant District Administrator, Alabama Department of Public Health. 

People are getting vaccinated in the Tennessee Valley, but the supply cannot keep up with demand. 

RELATED: UAB doctors say the biggest challenge facing COVID vaccine distribution is supply

"The amount of vaccine that's available to all the providers is limited, and so, that's our biggest challenge right now," said Glenn. 

The good news is that another vaccine may be available soon.

"I heard a report this weekend, Dr. Fauci says that Johnson & Johnson is very close to being given emergency use authorization for their COVID vaccine, it's a one-dose shot. He says that he anticipates that over the next couple of weeks," said Glenn. 

While the Morgan County Health Department has experienced some issues, the good news is they will be taking walk-ins of anyone 75 years and older.

"Morgan County is definitely doing the walk-ins, first come, first serve this week until the website gets up, hopefully, the website will help alleviate some of the waiting time," said Glenn.

RELATED: Officials say vaccine demand could be greater than current supply can support

Even though the number of vaccines is low, the number of cases seems to be declining as well.

"Our total number of hospital patients statewide continues to decline, which is a good thing, this weekend it was up to 2,254, which is a lot less than our all-time high," said Glenn. 

As for North Alabama as a whole, this trend is consistent among many counties.

"12 of our counties, 6 of them are in a low-risk category and 6 of them are in a moderate-risk," said Glenn. 

RELATED: Alabama leaders working to improve vaccination plan

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