SINGAPORE, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 8,983 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total tally to 1,645,092.

Of the new cases, 740 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 8,243 through ART (antigen rapid test) tests, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

Among the PCR cases, 705 were local transmissions and 35 were imported cases. Among the ART cases with mild symptoms and assessed to be of low risk, there were 7,930 local transmissions and 313 imported cases, respectively.

A total of 758 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 14 cases in intensive care units.

Two deaths were reported from COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the total death toll to 1,468, the ministry said.