Cross River State health authorities have confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking the first time the virus has been officially reported in the state since 2022.
During a press conference in Calabar on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, revealed that the patient is a 53-year-old Chinese national employed by Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The individual reportedly arrived in Nigeria on March 17, and began showing symptoms on April 10, leading to a referral from a local medical facility to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for specialized care and testing.
Health officials believe the patient likely contracted the virus within Nigeria, as the onset of symptoms occurred well beyond the standard 14-day incubation period following his international arrival. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, noted that while the virus cannot be completely eradicated, the focus remains on preventing a widespread outbreak. To this end, the state’s emergency response unit has been fully activated, and rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to begin the critical work of line listing and contact tracing for those who interacted with the patient.
Dr. Ayuk emphasized that the current administration has repositioned the Ministry of Health to manage epidemic outbreaks effectively, urging the public to remain calm. He assured residents that the state’s surveillance and containment protocols are robust and that all necessary steps were taken to confirm the case before the public announcement. The Commissioner expressed optimism regarding the patient’s recovery, stating that he is currently “doing well” under medical supervision.
As the state ramps up its containment efforts, international partners are reinforcing the need for public vigilance. The World Health Organization (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, reminded citizens that the disease remains a persistent threat despite its lower profile in recent years. Health officials continue to stress the importance of preventive measures and early reporting to ensure that any potential spread is halted before it can result in fatalities or a larger public health crisis.
