Cross River State has confirmed a case of COVID-19, according to a report by Punch Newspapers.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Calabar, the state capital.
He said the confirmed case involved a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later fell ill.
Dr. Ayuk explained that the patient’s condition deteriorated at a medical facility before he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and necessary protocols followed. The test later confirmed that he had COVID-19.
The commissioner, however, assured residents that the patient is responding to treatment and is in stable condition.
He added that the state Ministry of Health has been repositioned to effectively manage disease outbreaks, noting that surveillance and response systems are in place to contain the situation.
According to him, although there have been occasional infections, the government remains committed to ensuring that any outbreak is quickly identified and controlled, urging residents not to panic.
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said the state’s emergency response unit has been activated following the confirmed case.
She disclosed that contact tracing and monitoring of individuals who may have come in contact with the patient are ongoing, while rapid response teams have been deployed to the affected area.
Dr. Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the state was recorded in 2022, adding that investigations suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.
She emphasised that while the disease cannot be completely prevented, its spread can be controlled through effective containment measures.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation Coordinator in Cross River, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, urged residents to continue observing preventive measures, stressing that COVID-19 remains a public health concern.
Authorities have reassured the public of their readiness to manage the situation and prevent further spread of the virus.
