Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers for Hamilton, Niagara and area

Hamilton has 127 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 15 from Wednesday, although some are still the result of a testing backlog.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health, says Public Health Ontario laboratories have been clearing a logjam of as many as 11,000 tests this week, which has resulted in spiking numbers.

Some of the positive case confirmations, she said this week, date back as far as three weeks ago. That backlog should be cleared by Friday, she said.

"We are continuing to see cases that are continuing to come in as a result of that backlog," she said Thursday. 

What Hamilton's COVID-19 numbers will look like next week is anyone's guess. The confirmed cases span a range of ages and geographic locations. Two people have died, both at Heritage Green Nursing Home in upper Stoney Creek, and there is also an outbreak at Cardinal Retirement Home.

Of Hamilton's 127 cases, 41 have recovered. Fifteen of them have required hospitalization. Fifty cases are people who have traveled, while 44 had close or casual contact with someone with COVID-19. 

Five of Hamilton's cases are older than 80, 51 are aged 20 to 44, and two cases are people under age five.

Brant

The Brant County Health Unit, which serves Brantford and Brant County, is reporting ​29 confirmed cases as of 11 a.m., up from 17 on Wednesday. It has also suffered its first death from COVID-19, a woman in her 60s with pre-existing medical conditions. 

"It's a difficult time for everyone right now and losing a member of our community is deeply upsetting," said Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke, acting medical officer of health. 

Haldimand-Norfolk

A fourth person has died from COVID-19 in Haldimand and Norfolk. Three others were connected to the Anson Place Care Centre in Hagersville. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit hasn't said whether the fourth death is also connected to the care centre.

The area has 34 cases, up from 27 on Wednesday. Three of those have recovered.

Halton

Halton has 81 confirmed cases, up 15 from Wednesday. That number includes 28 people in Burlington. One person, an Oakville man, has died.

Niagara

Niagara has 82 confirmed cases as of noon Thursday. Eleven of them have recovered and two have died. 

The province classifies an "outbreak" at a long-term care home as one case. There are currently outbreaks at Royal Rose Place in Welland, Lundy Manor in Niagara Falls, Rapelje Lodge in Welland, and Seasons Welland.