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Singapore reported 486 new coronavirus cases as of noon today, taking the national total to 23,822.

The vast majority of the cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, said the Ministry of Health in its daily preliminary update, Channel News Asia reports. Two cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents.

"The lower number of cases today is partly due to fewer tests being processed at a testing laboratory as it is recalibrating its apparatus for one of the test kits," the ministry said.

On Sunday, the ministry said that an "apparatus calibration issue" for one of the test kits at a laboratory resulted in 33 "false positives.'' These 33 cases, including a healthcare worker at the Singapore Expo community care facility, previously tested positive for the coronavirus.-Photo: CNA

Many of those who are infected with the virus in Singapore are work permit holders housed in crowded foreign worker dormitories.

486 more infections take Singapore count to 23,822