The global coronavirus death toll has hit 3,000 following a sudden spike in Italian cases.

Five fatalities were announced in Italy today, taking its death toll to 34 as infection continues to cripple the country's northern regions.

Total patient numbers rose to 1,694 after the Civil Protection Agency revealed roughly 500 fresh positive tests this evening - an alarming 50 per cent climb in just 24 hours.

The outbreak is the second largest outside of mainland China and is steadily seeping across the continent, despite the infection hotbeds of Lombardy and Veneto on lock-down.

Ministers in Rome have taken drastic measures to firefight the epidemic, including scrapping public events and erecting police checkpoints around the 11 contaminated towns.

But despite the travel freeze from the virus-hit areas, where 50,000 citizens are in quarantine, cases scattered across Europe have been traced back to Italy.

The global coronavirus death toll has hit 3,000 following a sudden spike in Italian cases

Medical staff wearing protective suits carry the coffin containing the body of Assunta Pastore, 87, after she passed away in her room at the Garden hotel in Laigueglia, northwest Italy today

Tourists wearing protective masks stand in front of the Vittoriano in central Rome today

The United States has urged all Americans not to travel to the 11 northern towns where clusters have sprouted.

Of the 13 new patients announced in the UK today, seven had recently returned from Italy.

Ireland also confirmed its first case after a male living in the east of the country contracted the virus in northern Italy.

Two secondary schools have now closed for 14 days after pupils and teachers were confirmed as coming into contact with the patient.

The Czech Republic confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, with all the patients having travelled from northern Italy, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said today.

Across the border, the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Germany also jumped sharply to 129.

The deadly virus has now reached nine of Germany's 16 states, with Frankfurt, Hamburg and Bremen among the cities reporting their first case.

Paramedics work in a tent that was set up outside the hospital of Cremona, northern Italy

Of the 12 new patients announced in the UK today, two had recently arrived from Italy Pictured: Mr Johnson during a visit to a laboratory in PHE's National Infection Service

Iranians encouraged to lick shrines despite infection fears The Iranian regime has come under fire for reportedly encouraging citizens to gather at holy sites and lick shrines. Iran has the largest number of confirmed deaths outside China with at least 54 fatalities. The northern city of Qom has suffered the brunt of the country's outbreak, yet this is where videos of shrine-licking has been witnessed. Such instructions while the nation is trying to stop the spread of a highly contagious infection has led to accusations of gross irresponsibility. Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted: 'These pro-regime people are licking the shrines & encouraging people to visit them. Iran's authorities are endangering lives of Iranians & the world.' Advertisement

Coronavirus fears have rocked everyday life, with Europeans desperate not to contract the bug which has infected 87,000 worldwide.

The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, closed on Sunday after staff refused to work due to coronavirus fears, unions and management said.

The measure came after France said it would ban gatherings of 5,000 people or more, with schools shut and religious services axed in some of the hardest hit zones.

Sunday's half-marathon in Paris was cancelled because of the virus.

Hungary said it is halting entry to its border 'transit zone' camps for asylum-seekers over coronavirus fears after Turkey began letting migrants head toward Europe.

But the border-free Schengen zone still remains open, meaning people can flow freely between the 26 member states without subject to screening.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that non-essential staff, as well as dependants, are to be pulled out of the British Embassy in Tehran.

In updated travel advice for Iran, the Whitehall department said: 'As of March 1, dependants and some staff from the British Embassy are being withdrawn from Iran due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

'Essential staff needed to continue critical work will remain. In the event that the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the British Embassy to provide assistance to British nationals from within Iran may be limited.'

Iran has the largest number of confirmed deaths outside China with at least 54 fatalities.

The northern city of Qom has suffered the brunt of the country's outbreak, yet regime figures in the city are reportedly encouraging its citizens to visit holy sites and like shrines.

Such instructions while the nation is trying to stop the spread of a highly contagious infection has led to accusations of the regime 'endangering lives of Iranians and the world'.

The number of countries to report coronavirus cases climbed past 60, with patients now on every continent except Antarctica.