BARRIE, ONT. Despite low COVID-19 case numbers, Muskoka shifted into red level restrictions this week as part of the province s COVID-19 response framework. The province moved the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) into tighter safety measures after surging COVID-19 cases across Simcoe County. Communities across Muskoka expressed frustration with being lumped in with Simcoe County s climbing infection rates. Muskoka merged with the Simcoe County Health Unit in 2005 when the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit was abolished and split into two health units. Parry Sound merged with North Bay, while Muskoka merged with Simcoe County. The merge was controversial 15 years ago, and today, it s even more so as businesses and officials voice the unfairness of being placed in the red zone because of high transmission rates further south.