A medical worker of hospital of Yeungnam University makes health screening at a drive-through clinic in Daegu, South Korea, March 4, 2020. (Photo by Lee Sang-ho/Xinhua)

The novel coronavirus continued to spread across the world with more than 12,600 cases confirmed in at least 76 countries outside China as of 9GMT on Wednesday, according to World Health Organization.

On Wednesday, Italy confirmed 587 cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the total number to 3,089 with a total of 107 deaths, according to authorities.

Japan's health authority on Thursday said the country has confirmed a total of 1,037 cases of the infection, including 706 cases from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the infection has risen to 11 in the U.S. as of Wednesday afternoon, including 10 in Washington state and one in California. The confirmed cases in the country now are at least 153.