Photo/Illutration Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki speaks at a May 21 news conference in Sapporo. (Kengo Hiyoshi)

Hokkaido set a record for new COVID-19 cases on May 21 as local authorities confirmed 727 new cases.

The figure broke the previous record of 712 set on May 13. May 21 also marked the third straight day with more than 600 fresh COVID-19 cases on the main northern island.

Hokkaido is under a state of emergency for the novel coronavirus pandemic until May 31. 

There were 12 patients who died on May 21, including 10 in Sapporo, the capital city. One of the Sapporo residents who died was in their 30s while the other nine were 70 and older.

Sapporo also reported four new infection clusters, with 10 patients confirmed at a single medical institution, 15 at a group home, nine at a retirement home that also provides care services and six at a facility for the disabled.

In nearby Otaru city, the number of infected patients who had gathered at a single karaoke parlor also increased. The infection cluster was first reported on May 19, but the figure now stands at 29 as six more customers were confirmed with COVID-19.

Many of the clientele were 70 and older and they stayed for many hours without wearing face masks.

Meanwhile, Osaka prefectural officials announced 415 new cases on May 21, including 22 deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 2,090, the highest figure in Japan for a prefecture. 

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