The novel coronavirus cases around the world surpassed the 1.3 million mark on Monday, according to data by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

The university's running tally counted 1,309,439 cases.

After emerging in Wuhan, China in December, the COVID-19 virus has spread to at least 184 countries and regions with a death toll of more than 72,600 and over 273,500 recoveries.

Italy, Spain and France continue to be the most affected countries, while the highest number of positive cases are in the U.S. with nearly 350,000. The U.S. has reported over 10,300 deaths.

Many countries have restricted travel from the most affected areas and implemented lockdowns as the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic and Europe the new epicenter.