The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19 involving a Chinese national, prompting the activation of public health emergency response measures to prevent further spread.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed the development in Calabar on Tuesday, assuring residents that the situation is under control and does not call for panic.
According to Ayuk, the case involves a 53-year-old expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The patient initially presented mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where tests confirmed the infection.
He said the patient is currently receiving treatment at the state’s designated isolation centre and is responding well.
The commissioner explained that authorities delayed the public announcement until diagnostic procedures were completed to avoid misinformation, emphasizing that the state remains vigilant in surveillance and response.
“We are living in a world of mobile populations, and public health threats can easily cross borders. What matters is the capacity to detect and contain them promptly,” Ayuk said, reiterating that residents should remain calm while adhering to preventive measures.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong noted that this is the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in Cross River since 2022, attributing the low visibility of recent infections to widespread vaccination and the prevalence of mild or unreported cases.
A representative of the World Health Organization in the state, Dr. Olatunde Rebecca, stressed the need for sustained surveillance, effective risk communication, and continued access to testing materials. She also cautioned against misinformation, warning that it can worsen outbreak outcomes.
She reminded residents that COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, urging adherence to preventive measures such as hand hygiene, mask use, and physical distancing.
Health officials also confirmed that efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with national authorities, to identify the specific strain involved in the case.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said the state’s improved outbreak response systems now enable early detection and rapid intervention, reducing the risk of widespread transmission.
With the confirmation of the case, the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, while rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa LGA. Contact tracing is ongoing, and individuals identified as close contacts are being monitored throughout the virus’s incubation period.
Authorities urged residents to report symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and breathing difficulties promptly, noting that these can sometimes be mistaken for malaria, leading to underreporting.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, commended the collaboration between the state government, the WHO, and other partners in managing the situation.
