(Yicai Global) Jan. 24 -- China's quickly spreading novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia has so far claimed 25 lives and infected 830 people as of last night. But the World Health Organization has refrained from declaring a global emergency. 

 The deadly virus has spread to 29 administrative regions, China's health authorities said in a statement today. Most of the deaths took place in Central China's Hubei province but one was nearly 1,000 kilometers away in North China's Hebei province. 

It is "too early" to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the WHO's statement from yesterday. But much about the virus remains unknown so more people might get infected, the WHO added.

"It has not yet become a global health emergency," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organization's director-general. "It may yet become one." His risk assessment for the outbreak was a very high risk in China, and a high risk globally. "Make no mistake, though, this is an emergency in China."

A total of 1,072 suspected cases had been reported in 20 mainland regions as of yesterday. Over 9,500 close contacts to those people were traced. The special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau both had two cases, and the province of Taiwan one. 

 The new type of coronavirus has also found its way overseas. By last night, Thailand had reported three cases, two of which have already recovered. Vietnam had two such patients, while the US, South Korea, and Singapore reported one each. 

Editor: Emmi Laine