The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, marking the first reported infection in the state in several years.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed this during a press briefing in Calabar, assuring residents that the situation is under control.
According to Ayuk, the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms.
He explained that the patient’s condition worsened at a local facility before he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)for further care.
At the hospital, samples were collected and processed according to established health protocols, confirming the presence of COVID-19.
The commissioner noted that the patient is currently responding well to treatment.
Ayuk emphasised that the state’s healthcare system has been strengthened to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks, urging residents not to panic.
He acknowledged that isolated infections may occur but stressed that authorities are prepared to manage and contain any spread.
“We have systems in place for surveillance and response. There is no cause for alarm,” he said.
Providing further details, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, said emergency response measures have been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case.
She revealed that health officials are currently conducting contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who may have interacted with the patient.
Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022.
She also pointed out that the patient’s symptoms appeared beyond the typical incubation period, suggesting the possibility of local transmission.
The epidemiologist added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to strengthen containment efforts.
She reiterated that while it may not be possible to eliminate the virus completely, the goal is to prevent widespread transmission and fatalities.
Also speaking, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, reminded the public that COVID-19 remains a global health concern.
She urged residents to continue observing preventive measures to protect themselves and others.
