Commuters leave a train station during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore, Sept 23, 2021. (EDGAR SU / REUTERS)
HANOI / MANILA / SINGAPORE – Singapore reported 2,686 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total tally to 2,121,435.
Of the new cases, 299 were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 2,387 through ARTs (antigen rapid test), according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.
Among the PCR cases, 282 were local transmissions and 17 were imported cases. Among the ART cases with mild symptoms and assessed to be of low risk, there were 2,265 local transmissions and 122 imported cases.
A total of 378 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 16 in intensive care units.
One new death from COVID-19 was reported on Saturday, bringing the total death toll to 1,686.
The Philippines
The Philippines reported 1,229 new COVID-19 infections on Saturday, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 4,008,550.
The Department of Health said the number of active cases dropped to 17,123, while 29 more patients died from COVID-19 complications, pushing the country's death toll to 64,240.
Metro Manila, the capital region with over 13 million people, tallied 322 new cases.
Vietnam
Vietnam recorded 359 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, up by 20 from Friday, according to its ministry of health.
All the new cases were locally transmitted, said the ministry.
The newly reported infections brought the total tally to 11,505,608 in Vietnam. The country reported no new deaths from the pandemic on Saturday
The newly reported infections brought the total tally to 11,505,608. The country reported no new deaths from the pandemic on Saturday, with the total fatalities staying at 43,165.
As of Saturday, there were 66 severe cases in need of assisted breathing in the Southeast Asian country, according to the ministry.
Nationwide, 10,604,591 COVID-19 patients, or over 92 percent of the total infections, have recovered.
READ MORE: Vietnam sees lowest daily count of COVID-19 cases in a year
Vietnam has already recorded COVID-19 infections with the Omicron BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1 and BA.2.74 sub-variants and is accelerating the inoculation of its people with a fourth vaccine dose.