As Italy reported its largest single-day COVID-19 deaths of 793 on Saturday, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that the pandemic has claimed 11,184 lives worldwide as of midnight Friday, reported Xinhua news agency.

Worldwide, the cumulative number of cases has risen to 266,073, with the virus spreading to 182 countries and regions.

Outside China, the number of confirmed cases has risen to 184,657. Italy, Spain, Iran, Germany, the United States and France are the most affected countries, all with more than 10,000 cases. And these countries have registered more than 130,000 infections in total.

NEW HIGHS IN INFECTIONS, DEATHS

Italy reported 6,557 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday, bringing its total to 53,578 since the pandemic first broke out in its north on Feb 21. Its 24-hour fatalities is now the highest registered in any country, raising the total in Italy to 4,825.

In Spain, infection cases have approached 25,000 by Saturday, with 1,328 deaths. The latest one-day increase in coronavirus cases was close to 5,000, while the country's single-day deaths of 326 updated the total toll to 1,328.

Hospitals and health workers are being stretched to the limit and the government has begun to convert hotels into temporary hospitals for less serious cases, while the IFEMA Exhibition center in Madrid has been converted into a field hospital with 5,500 beds by the Spanish Military Emergency Response Unit.

France reported on Saturday 112 new COVID-19 deaths while infection cases rose by 1,847 to 14,459. A total of 6,172 people are hospitalised, including 1,525 patients in intensive care, of whom half are below the age of 60, according to figures updated by the Ministry of Health.

In UK, confirmed cases now amounted to 5,018, with 233 deaths.

The Netherlands added 30 deaths on Saturday, bringing the country's fatality tally to 136. Meanwhile, a total of 637 more people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing its total to 3,631.

Also on Saturday, Cyprus, Finland, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina each reported its first fatality from COVID-19.

STRINGENT CONTROLS

To contain the spread of the virus and prevent its public health system from being overwhelmed, Italy decided to further reduce the movement of people. Starting from Saturday morning, all public parks and gardens across the country were closed, following a specific order from the Health Ministry.

Italy is calling up the military to help enforce the national coronavirus lockdown in the hardest-hit parts of the country.

Amid high concerns over relentless virus circulation and "irresponsible behavior" of some citizens, the French authorities imposed further restrictions by banning walks and jogging in parks while reinforcing control in train stations.

Portugal's National Association of Public Health Doctors (ANMSP) on Saturday urged the government to tighten up the measures under the state of emergency to fight the pandemic, and be more restrictive in home-confinement rules.

Croatia confirmed on Saturday the beginning of community transmission in the country as 78 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours, and the total now stood at 206.

Starting from Sunday, all public transport by rail and bus will be suspended to curb the further rise in coronavirus cases.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic announced that Croatia is closing down all public spaces, and people will not be allowed in public areas anymore. Those who disobey self-isolation rules will face even harsher penalties.