SINGAPORE, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 3,553 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total tally to 1,809,251.

Of the new cases, 432 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 3,121 through ART (antigen rapid test) tests, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

Among the PCR cases, 395 were local transmissions and 37 were imported cases. Among the ART cases with mild symptoms and assessed to be of low risk, there were 2,940 local transmissions and 181 imported cases, respectively.

A total of 479 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 11 cases in intensive care units.

Five deaths were reported from COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 1,572, the ministry said.