Singapore reports 8,940 new COVID-19 cases on Mar 23 including 7,691 with mild symptoms

The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 8,940 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on Wednesday (Mar 23).

This included 3,657 cases between 12 and 39 years old.

On Wednesday, 1,249, including 1,231 local cases, were detected through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. 

Another 7,691 cases were detected through Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) and assessed by a doctor to have mild symptoms and of low risk. Of these, 7,518 were local cases. 

In total, there were 8,749 local transmission cases.

The weekly COVID-19 infection growth rate increased to 0.76 from 0.74 on Tuesday. A weekly infection growth rate below 1.00 means the number of new COVID-19 cases this week is on the decline.

There were 951 patients hospitalised on Wednesday, down from 1,023 on Tuesday. The last time COVID-19 cases in hospitals were lower than 1,000 was on Feb 4.

Of these, 117 cases required oxygen supplementation and 26 cases were in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were also 8,381 cases discharged from the hospital over the past day. 

Six deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday, taking the national death toll to 1,220.

In the last 28 days, 397,606 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 22, 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.