SINGAPORE, Sept 17  -- Singapore has preliminarily confirmed an additional 18 new cases of COVID-19 infection in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number for the republic to 57,532.

Based on its investigations so far, there was one case in the community involving a work pass holder, said the republic’s Ministry of Health (MOH) in its brief data released here today.

The ministry said there were two imported cases who had been placed on Stay-Home Notice upon arrival in Singapore.

The MOH said it was still working through the details of the cases, and further updates would be issued tonight.

In the full data released late Wednesday, the ministry classified 1,003 of the reported cases as imported, 2,240 as community cases and 54,271 involving dorm residents.

According to the ministry, case 57107 had been removed from the case count following further investigations.

''The individual had been tested negative twice following an initial positive test result. Investigations by laboratory experts and an expert panel assessed that his first test result was a false-positive one,'' it explained.

Meanwhile, the MOH said 56,955 cases had fully recovered from the infection and discharged from hospitals or community care facilities.

As at noon Wednesday, 42 confirmed cases were still in hospital but none in the intensive care unit.

Meanwhile, 490 patients who have mild symptoms or clinically well but still tested positive for COVID-19 have been isolated and are being cared for at community facilities.

To date, 27 people have died from complications due to COVID-19 in the republic. 

No new clusters were identified yesterday.

-- BERNAMA