Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case involving a foreign national, prompting health authorities to activate emergency response measures and contact tracing.
The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, prompting renewed surveillance and emergency health response measures in the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Calabar by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, during a press briefing.
According to Ayuk, the confirmed case involves a Chinese national working with Lafarge, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 before later developing symptoms.
He explained that the patient’s condition worsened at an initial medical facility, leading to his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were collected and standard protocols followed.
The commissioner said the test later confirmed symptoms of COVID-19, adding that the patient is responding well to treatment.
Ayuk stated that the state Ministry of Health has been strengthened by the current administration to effectively manage disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
He assured residents that there was no cause for panic, stressing that Cross River has the capacity to monitor, contain, and respond to infectious diseases.
According to him, health officials delayed public confirmation for several days to ensure all diagnostic and reporting procedures were properly followed.
He added that the patient is a 53-year-old man working in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said the emergency response unit had been activated immediately after confirmation of the case.
She disclosed that contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have interacted with the patient are ongoing.
Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, but suggested the latest infection may have been contracted within Nigeria.
She explained that COVID-19 usually has an incubation period of two to 14 days, while the patient reportedly developed symptoms on April 10 after arriving in Nigeria on March 17.
Rapid response teams have also been deployed to Akamkpa, where the patient works, as part of containment measures.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, reminded residents that COVID-19 remains present globally and urged continued adherence to preventive health measures.
Health officials say vigilance, early detection, and responsible public behaviour remain key to preventing any wider outbreak.
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