Countries around the world strengthened their prevention and control efforts over the weekend as the novel coronavirus continued its global spread, especially in Europe, the new epicenter of the outbreak.

The World Health Organization said on Friday that Europe has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more cases are being reported on the continent every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic.

Following Italy, Spain on Saturday announced a near-total nationwide lockdown, that starting on Monday bans people from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the restrictions on movement following a huge spike in the number of infections in the nation of 46 million people.

They are among the measures introduced as part of a 15-day state of emergency declared by the Spanish government.

All stores except pharmacies and supermarkets will close nationwide, and police would ensure the restrictions on people's movements are obeyed, according to the restrictions.

The number of confirmed cases in Spain has spiraled to over 6,300, with an increase of around 1,500 in just 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare. The disease has so far claimed 196 lives in the country.

Shortly after the announcement, Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez tested positive for the coronavirus. The couple are following the instructions of medical authorities at their residence, the government said.

France drastically stepped up its measures against the spread of the coronavirus on Saturday, ordering the closure of all cafes, restaurants and cinemas.

"I have decided on the closure until further notice from midnight of places that receive the public that are nonessential to the life of the country," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said.

Shops would also have to close with the exception of essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies, and public transport would continue to run. But Philippe urged the people to "limit their movements" and avoid intercity travel.

The public health authority said 91 people had died in France and almost 4,500 were now infected.

Meanwhile, France pressed ahead with plans for nationwide municipal elections on Sunday, but ordered special measures to keep people at a safe distance and to sanitize surfaces.

In Italy, the worst-hit European country, the number of infections surged by roughly 20 percent overnight because of what authorities characterized as irresponsible behavior by people still socializing despite the nationwide lockdown.

The total number of cases rose to 21,157, with death toll rose by 175 to 1,441. The increase was so far Italy's biggest day-to-day jump in number of infected cases.

In Britain, the death toll nearly doubled from the day before to 21, and the number of people infected rose to over 1,100. Ireland had 90 confirmed cases and one death as of Friday. Greece's infection total approached 230 with three deaths, and police there arrested 45 shopkeepers on Saturday for violating a ban on operations.

The United States announced on Saturday further curbs on travel to the country, extending a ban imposed on European nations over the pandemic to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

President Donald Trump also advised against nonessential travel and said officials were also considering imposing domestic restrictions.

Trump has tested negative for the novel coronavirus, after coming in contact with several members of a Brazilian presidential delegation visiting his Florida resort who have since tested positive for the virus.

The US has seen 60 deaths and more than 2,100 cases.

By Sunday, over 152,000 cases and more than 5,700 deaths have been reported to the WHO from 141 countries and regions.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva that the WHO is encouraged that many countries are now acting on the eight pillars of its COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. He said most countries now have a national plan, most are taking a multisectoral approach and most have laboratory testing capacity.

"Our message to countries continues to be: You must take a comprehensive approach," he said, adding that countries should conduct testing, contact tracing, quarantine and social distancing all together.

Tedros said that any country that looks at the experience of other countries with large epidemics and thinks "that won't happen to us" is making a deadly mistake.

"It can happen to anyone," he said.

He reiterated that the experience of China, South Korea, Singapore and others clearly demonstrates that aggressive testing and contact tracing, combined with social distancing measures and community mobilization can prevent COVID-19 infections and save lives.

Agencies contributed to this story.