The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has jumped in the last 24 hours by 189 to 1 016, a rise of 23%.

The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, rose to 15 113 from a previous 12 462, an increase of 21.7%.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic as Italy tightened its strict quarantine and the U.S. imposed a ban on flights to Europe. More than 4 600 people have died and over 126 000 have been infected globally. About 68 000 victims have recovered.