The Cross River Government has confirmed a case of COVID-19 and activated its public health emergency response mechanisms to contain any potential spread.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar, assuring residents that the situation was under control and did not warrant panic.
Ayuk said the confirmed case involved a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works with a company in Akamkpa LGA.
According to him, the patient initially presented mild symptoms and was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and the infection confirmed.
“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” he said.
Why Govt Delayed Announcement
The commissioner said the government delayed public announcement of the case until all diagnostic protocols were completed to avoid misinformation.
He added that the state remained vigilant in disease surveillance and response.
He noted that global interconnectedness had continued to expose populations to infectious diseases,
According to him, COVID-19 was not peculiar to Nigeria.
“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, and that is what we are doing.
“The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread,” Ayuk said.
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, said the case was the first officially recorded COVID-19 infection in Cross River since 2022.
She attributed the low visibility of recent cases to widespread vaccination and the prevalence of mild or unreported infections.
Ekpenyong explained that symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, sore throat and respiratory.
According to him, distress in severe cases, often resemble malaria, which could contribute to underreporting.
“With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre,” she said.
She added that rapid response teams had been deployed to Akamkpa LGA, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed persons were ongoing.
According to her, identified contacts are being monitored daily within the virus incubation period of two to 14 days.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Jonah Offor, commended the collaboration between the state government, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners in managing the situation.
WHO’s Take
In her remarks, WHO State Coordinator, Dr Olatunde Rebecca, emphasised sustained surveillance, risk communication and provision of testing materials.
She warned that misinformation could worsen outbreak outcomes.
“COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
“Preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face masks and physical distancing remain critical,” she said.
Rebecca added that efforts were ongoing, in collaboration with national health authorities, to determine the strain involved in the current case.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said the state had improved significantly in outbreak response.
Ekpo noted that early detection and rapid intervention now help prevent widespread transmission.
Health authorities urged residents to remain calm, adhere to preventive guidelines and promptly report symptoms to health facilities.
