305 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore on May 18, lower number due to fewer tests processed at a laboratory

The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 305 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore as of 12 pm on May 18. The lower number of cases is partly due to fewer tests being processed at a particular laboratory. 

“The lower number of cases today is partly due to fewer tests being processed as one testing laboratory is reviewing its processes following an earlier apparatus calibration issue, and will need time to ramp up its testing capacity,” said the ministry.

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Lawrence Wong
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Lawrence Wong

Of the new cases, the vast majority are Work Permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories. Two new cases are reported in the locally community, with both being Singaporeans/ Permanent Residents. 

MOH said the number of new cases in the community has decreased, from an average of 7 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 3 per day in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has remained stable at an average of 2 per day in the past two weeks.  

The national tally of cases stands at 28,343. Singapore has seen 22 deaths due to COVID-19 complications. 

The country’s circuit breaker measures are expected to start lifting on June 1. The MOH said on Sunday that the number of new cases in the community has decreased to an average of three per day in the last week while the number of unlinked cases in the community has also decreased to an average of two per day.