The Cross River State Government has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19 and activated its public health emergency response to prevent further spread.
The State Commissioner for Health, Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar, assuring residents that the situation is under control and does not warrant panic.
According to him, the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The patient, who initially showed mild symptoms, was admitted at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where tests confirmed the infection.
He noted that the patient is currently receiving treatment at the state’s designated isolation centre and is responding well.
Ayuk explained that authorities delayed announcing the case until all diagnostic procedures were completed to avoid misinformation, stressing that the state remains vigilant in surveillance and response.
“We are living in a world of mobile populations… what matters is the capacity to detect and contain promptly, and that is what we are doing,” he said, reiterating that there is no cause for alarm.
State Epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong confirmed that this is the first officially recorded case in the state since 2022, attributing the low number of reported cases to vaccination and the prevalence of mild or unnoticed infections.
She added that the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, with rapid response teams deployed to Akamkpa for contact tracing and monitoring of exposed individuals within the virus’s incubation period.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended collaboration between the state, the World Health Organization, and other partners in managing the situation.
WHO State Coordinator Olatunde Rebecca emphasised the need for continued vigilance, warning that misinformation could worsen outbreak outcomes. She urged residents to maintain preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face masks, and physical distancing.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, noted that the state’s improved response systems now enable early detection and rapid containment of infectious diseases.
Health authorities have urged residents to remain calm, follow safety guidelines, and promptly report any symptoms to the nearest health facility.
Elijah Adeyemi
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