Singapore reports 10,594 new COVID-19 cases on Mar 18 including 8,624 with mild symptoms

The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 10,594 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on Friday (Mar 18).

This included 4,111 cases between 12 and 39 years old.

On Friday, 1,970, including 1,917 local cases, were detected through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. 

Another 8,624 cases were detected through Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) and assessed by a doctor to have mild symptoms and of low risk. Of these, 8,518 were local cases.

In total, there were 10,435 local transmission cases.

The weekly COVID-19 infection growth rate decreased to 0.70 from 0.73 on Thursday. A weekly infection growth rate below 1.00 means the number of new COVID-19 cases this week is on the decline.

There were 1,175 patients hospitalised on Friday, down from 1,230 on Thursday. Of these, 137 cases required oxygen supplementation and 30 cases were in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were also 15,684 cases discharged from the hospital over the past day. 

Nine deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Friday, taking the national death toll to 1,191.

In the last 28 days, 440,832 cases have been recorded, of which 99.7 per cent had no or mild symptoms and 0.2 per cent required oxygen supplementation.

As of Mar 17, 95 per cent of the eligible population and 92 per cent of the total population are fully vaccinated. Of which, 93 per cent have received at least one vaccine dose and 70 per cent have received boosters.