18,094 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore reported on Feb 18, 15,015 with mild symptoms

The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 18,094 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on Friday (Feb 18). 

Of the cases reported, 3,079 were detected through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. This included 2,934 local cases. 

Another 15,015 cases were detected through Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) and assessed by a doctor to have mild symptoms and of low risk. Of these, 14,952 were local cases. 

In total, there were 17,886 local transmission cases.

Of the cases reported on Friday, 7,193 were aged between 12 and 39. 

The weekly COVID-19 infection growth rate increased to 1.46, up from Thursday’s 1.28. The growth rate refers to the ratio of community cases for the past week over the week before and a weekly infection growth rate above one indicates an increasing number of new weekly cases.

Seven deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Friday, taking the national death toll to 937. 

There were 1,458 cases hospitalised on Friday, down from 1,472 the day before. Of these, 182 cases require oxygen supplementation and 39 cases are in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were also 19,606 cases discharged from the hospital over the past day. 

In the last 28 days, 237,234 cases have been recorded, of which 99.7 per cent had no or mild symptoms and 0.3 per cent have required oxygen supplementation.

As of Feb 17, 94 per cent of the eligible population and 90 per cent of the total population are fully vaccinated, 92 per cent have received at least one dose and 65 per cent have received boosters.