The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19 in the state, marking a fresh development years after the last reported infection.
The State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Calabar.
According to Ayuk, the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national employed by Lafarge, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 before falling ill.
The commissioner explained that the patient’s condition deteriorated while receiving care at a state facility, necessitating his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were taken and all required protocols observed.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
Ayuk emphasised that the state’s health system has been strengthened to effectively manage disease outbreaks, noting that surveillance and response mechanisms were already in place.
“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm.
“The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm.
“When this case was reported in about three or four days ago, we decided to be careful to confirm and ensure that the processes involved with identifying and confirming every case of COVID-19, are duly followed.
“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who work in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he said.
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said the state had activated its emergency response mechanisms following confirmation of the case.
She disclosed that contact tracing efforts were underway to identify individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.
While recalling that the last confirmed case in the state was recorded in 2022, Ekpenyong suggested that the infection may have been contracted within Nigeria, given the timeline of symptom development.
“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two to 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing the symptoms on April 10.
“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.
“We have also activated the emergency response center and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.
“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.
In her remarks, Yewande Olatunde, the World Health Organisation coordinator in the state, warned that the virus remains a public health concern and urged continued vigilance.
“We we must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves.” she stressed.
Health authorities have reiterated their commitment to containing the case and preventing further spread, while urging residents to remain calm and adhere to established safety protocols.
