r/beta - 10 system updates published at once

/e/ version: 0.18-r-beta
Device model(s): Beryllium
Device rooted: no

Summary

I am running still 0.18-r-beta on my device as the publication for 0.19-r was delayed. This morning the system notified the arrival of system updates. This time there was not a single update available but in total 10 0.19-r updates.

Was this on purpose?
Is the latest update a valid update to be installed?
Are all proposed updates valid updates?
How can it be avoided in the future that so many updates are being published at once?