Cross River Confirms Fresh COVID-19 Case, Activates Emergency Response

The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking the first reported infection in the state since 2022.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Calabar. He said the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to Ayuk, the patient arrived Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms on April 10. He was initially treated at a facility under the Ministry of Health before being transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where tests confirmed the infection.

He assured residents that the patient is responding well to treatment and that there is no cause for panic, noting that all necessary health protocols were strictly followed before confirmation.

The state epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said emergency response mechanisms have been activated, including contact tracing and monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

She explained that although the virus remains present globally, the state is focused on containment to prevent any outbreak, adding that rapid response teams have been deployed to the affected area.

Also speaking, the World Health Organisation’s coordinator in the state, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures, stressing that the virus has not been eradicated.

Health authorities reiterated their commitment to surveillance and swift response, assuring the public that the situation is under control.