SHARE ON: The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner (Photo taken on Zoom) The Simcoe Muskoka District has seen a concerning and substantial increase in new COVID-19 cases over the last week. The region’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner said our region saw a 44 percent increase in daily cases week on week. Dr. Gardner also noted the region is seeing its highest number yet of people in intensive care with 41 people currently hospitalized, 13 of which in intensive care. He added those in intensive care nowadays appear to be younger people with about 36 percent of intensive care admissions under the age of 60, compared to 13 percent same time of last year.