The Italian government said Tuesday the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus has surpassed 10,000 with the death toll rising to 631 as the whole country is locked down to prevent further spread of the disease.

Amid a surge of 977 new infections and 168 more deaths than a day earlier, Italy has become the hardest hit in both categories after mainland China, eclipsing South Korea.

While the country's northern area such as the Lombardy region has been affected most by the coronavirus, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday locked down the whole country, restricting travel, public gatherings and events while shutting down theaters and museums.

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The lockdown is likely to take a toll on many tourist sites, though public transportation such as airplanes, trains and buses are not being suspended and people can use them if deemed necessary by authorities.

The prime minister said last week that all schools in the country will be closed through Sunday.