Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott says they have instituted their surge protocol for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases, telling County Commissioners on Monday that they have more cases than they can keep up with right now.  Elliott explains that means they are limiting the phone calls they make to low-risk COVID cases and contacts, while still continuing with initial assessments and making sure people’s needs are met.  Like other areas, Elliott says Hood River County’s increase in COVID cases that can be traced back to family gatherings along with workplace outbreaks.  She does not expect to see a big decrease in cases until after the holiday season.