New COVID-19 cases continue to slow in London area with 1 positive test Thursday

The downward trend in new COVID-19 cases continued Thursday, with the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) reporting one new caseacross the region and no new deaths.

The new case comes from the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC), where an inmate tested positive for the virus.

There hasn't been a new case of COVID-19 reported at a seniors' facility in London since Saturday, when a staff member tested positive at a long-term care home.

The local total is now at568 cases, with 428 recovered.

The lower case counts come as much of the province braces for Stage 2 ofthe province's plan to lift restrictions on its lockdown. The size of social gatherings will increaseto 10 people, restaurants, bars and food trucks will be able to open for dining on patios and in parking lots, along with child care centres, hair salons, shopping malls and splash pads. Playgrounds will remain closed.

COVID-19 across the region and beyond

Southwestern Public Health, which covers St. Thomas and Elgin and Oxford counties, reported no new cases of COVID-19 Thursday. The regional total remained at 77cases, with 69resolved and four deaths.

Meanwhile,Ontario reported 203 additional cases of COVID-19, the lowest update since late March. The report comes as province-wide testing saw a record24,341 tests processed.

There are currently 3,172 active cases of coronavirus in Ontario, the fewest since new daily cases started to rise again in mid-May.

Canada-wide, there have now been97,472 confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases.