COVID-19: Latest developments in the Greater Toronto Area on April 27

Here are the latest developments on the COVID-19 pandemic in the Greater Toronto Area for Tuesday:

Around 80 employees and contractors at a Canada Post facility in Mississauga have been instructed to self-isolate amid a COVID-19 outbreak.

A statement from the postal service said Peel Public Health directed afternoon shift employees at the Toronto Exchange Office on Tuesday to isolate for 10 days.

The office is located at Canada Post’s Gateway facility, which experienced an outbreak earlier this year involving hundreds of cases.

“Canada Post received the direction from Peel Public Health regarding shift three at the Toronto Exchange Office on April 27 under a section 22 order on workplaces,” the statement said.

“We have moved to quickly comply and notify employees. In the last seven days, 12 employees who work in the location have tested positive for COVID-19.”

The Ontario government said residents aged 45 years and older living in designated hot spots in the province can book their vaccine appointments as of 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Anyone who is 45 years and older living in one of the 114 high-risk neighbourhoods can book to receive their vaccine at a mass immunization clinic through the provincial booking portal.

“This is a step forward in Phase Two of our vaccine distribution plan to ensure we are protecting people and communities most at risk,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

The Ontario government says child care workers in licensed settings will be able to book their vaccine appointments beginning Thursday.

The Ford government said eligible workers will receive a letter from their employer which must be available during booking and at the appointment itself.

Eligibility for those working in an unlicensed setting will be made available in the coming weeks.

“Ontario’s child care workers are making a difference and supporting working parents at this critical time,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “That’s why child care workers provincewide will be eligible to book a vaccine appointment. Our child care centres are safe and the expansion of vaccines will further protect children and staff.”

The Ontario government is asking Ottawa for enhanced measures for interprovincial travellers as the province grapples with high hospitalizations and cases of COVID-19 variants.

In a letter Monday to the federal ministers of health and public safety, Ontario says it has already closed its boundaries with Quebec and Manitoba to non-essential travel, but there are no measures in place to protect provinces from the spread of COVID-19 variants through interprovincial air travel, an area of federal responsibility.

Days after Ontario Premier Doug Ford promised “one of the best” paid sick day programs in North America, it appears the provincial government is considering a move that would double the amount of money people can receive if they need to take time off due to COVID-19.

However, as of Tuesday, many questions and concerns remain unaddressed, including if there will be provisions to stop pay interruption and issues with timely access to funding — points advocates and opposition politicians have repeatedly said poses barriers to those in need.

Ontario reported 3,265 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The provincial total now stands at 452,126.

Tuesday’s case count is lower than Monday’s 3,510 new infections and is the third day in a row cases have been lower than 4,000.

The death toll in the province has risen to 7,964  as 29 more deaths were recorded.

Ontario reported 3,265 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

Of those:

• 1,044 were in Toronto
• 673 were in Peel Region
• 452 were in York Region
• 171 were in Durham Region
• 138 were in Halton Region

As of 8 p.m. Monday, 4,791,030 COVID-19 vaccine doses had been administered in Ontario, marking an increase of 94,819.

So far, 362,563 people in the province are considered to be fully vaccinated.

—With files from The Canadian Press