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The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, raising fresh concerns about the virus in a state that has recorded minimal cases in recent years.
The development was announced on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, during a press briefing. According to him, the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
Ayuk explained that the individual arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later began showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The patient was initially treated at a state health facility, but his condition reportedly worsened, prompting his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where further tests confirmed the infection.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we ensured that all processes for confirming COVID-19 were duly followed. The protocols have been followed and it has been confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese working in Akamkpa LGA has COVID-19.”
He added that the state government has intensified surveillance efforts and urged residents not to panic, assuring that necessary measures are in place to contain the situation.
Also speaking, the state epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, disclosed that emergency response strategies have already been activated. She noted that contact tracing has commenced, with rapid response teams deployed to Akamkpa to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.
Ekpenyong highlighted that the last recorded case of COVID-19 in Cross River was in 2022, suggesting that the current infection might not be directly linked to recent travel.
“The incubation period is usually between two and 14 days. The patient arrived on March 17 and developed symptoms on April 10, which is beyond the incubation window,” she explained.
“We have activated the emergency response centre and are conducting contact tracing as part of containment efforts.”
Health officials believe that this timeline raises the possibility of local transmission, although investigations are ongoing to determine the exact source of the infection.
The situation has prompted renewed calls for vigilance among residents, particularly as public concern around COVID-19 has declined in recent years due to reduced case numbers.
Adding to the caution, the World Health Organization (WHO) coordinator in Cross River, Yewande Olatunde, reminded the public that the virus has not been eradicated and continues to circulate globally.
She urged residents to maintain basic preventive measures, including good hygiene practices and awareness of symptoms, to reduce the risk of further spread.
Health authorities in the state have reiterated their commitment to monitoring the situation closely and ensuring that any potential outbreak is swiftly contained. Residents have also been encouraged to report symptoms early and cooperate with health officials as contact tracing efforts continue.
The latest development serves as a reminder that while COVID-19 cases may have declined, the threat of the virus still remains, requiring continued caution and public health awareness.
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