Singapore's Health Ministry (MOH) warned on Sunday that the total number of HIV cases this year will exceed that of last year.

The MOH said that the increase in the number of HIV-testing cases could have contributed to the increased number of reported HIV cases in the country, which has reported 382 new HIV cases among Singapore residents in the first ten months of the year, according to Channel NewsAsia on Sunday night.

It is encouraged by the increased awareness and uptake of HIV testing, the ministry said, adding that it is urging those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behavior to go for regular HIV testing, said the ministry.

In the first nine months of this year, 124,559 HIV tests were carried out, a 22 percent increase compared to the same period of last year, during which 102,490 HIV tests were done.

Last year, 423 HIV cases were recorded in Singapore, which reported its first HIV case in 1985.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2008)