Singapore reports 8,478 new COVID-19 cases on Mar 24 including 7,125 with mild symptoms

The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 8,478 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on Thursday (Mar 24).

This included 3,443 cases between 12 and 39 years old.

On Thursday, 1,353, including 1,329 local cases, were detected through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. 

Another 7,125 cases were detected through Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) and assessed by a doctor to have mild symptoms and of low risk. Of these, 6,975 were local cases. 

In total, there were 8,304 local transmission cases.

The weekly COVID-19 infection growth rate increased to 0.79 from 0.76 on Wednesday. A weekly infection growth rate below 1.00 means the number of new COVID-19 cases this week is on the decline.

There were 873 patients hospitalised on Thursday, down from 951 on Wednesday. Of these, 114 cases required oxygen supplementation and 24 cases were in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were also 8,258 cases discharged from the hospital over the past day. 

Six deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, taking the national death toll to 1,226.

In the last 28 days, 387,476 cases have been recorded, of which 99.7 per cent had no or mild symptoms and 0.3 per cent required oxygen supplementation.

As of Mar 23, 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 71 per cent have received boosters.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in a live broadcast on Thursday that new COVID-19 measures will come into effect on Mar 29. The new measures include optional wearing of masks outdoors, and an increase in social gathering sizes to 10 people.