OTTAWA -- One day before Ottawa moves into Stage 3 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, 15 new cases of COVID-19 have been discovered in Ottawa.

Ottawa Public Health announced the new cases in its daily update on Thursday afternoon.

Since the first case of COVID-19 in Ottawa on March 11, there have been 2,182 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, including 263 deaths.

No new deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in Ottawa for 20 consecutive days.

Ottawa Public Health says there is no known link to the 15 new cases.

"The 15 new cases today are sporadic and are not linked to a known source," Ottawa Public Health said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

"OPH continues to investigate cases to identify common exposures. As (Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera. Etches) has mentioned, we can expect the number of cases to increase as we resume our activities."

On Friday, Ottawa moves into Stage 3 of Ontario's COVID-19 reopening plan. That means restaurants can resume dine-in eating, and movie theatres, gyms and other venues are allowed to open.

There are currently three people in hospital with COVID-19 related illnesses.

Active cases in Ottawa

There are currently 73 active cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa. That's the highest number of active COVID-19 cases in Ottawa since mid-June.

A total of 84.6 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Ottawa are now resolved.

Ottawa Public Health reports 1,846 people have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreaks

Ottawa Public Health has declared two COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes over. There are two active COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care homes and other facilities.

The COVID-19 outbreak at the Perley and Rideau Veterans Health Centre is over. Public health says three residents and seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19. One resident died due to COVID-19.

The outbreak is also over at Amica Westboro Park Retirement Home. One staff member had tested positive.

There's still active COVID-19 outbreaks at Bairn Croft Residential Services and Extendicare Medex long-term care home.