Health authorities have confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in Cross River State, prompting immediate response actions while reassuring residents that the situation is under control.
In a statement released Tuesday night, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said the patient has been isolated and is receiving care in line with national treatment protocols. According to the agency, the individual is in stable condition and responding well to treatment.
The state Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, revealed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working in Akamkpa Local Government Area. He explained that the patient initially showed mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where the infection was confirmed.
Ayuk noted that the government deliberately delayed announcing the case until all diagnostic procedures were completed, to avoid misinformation and unnecessary panic. “The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread,” he said.
Following confirmation, coordinated response measures were immediately activated by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with the NCDC and partners, including the World Health Organization. These measures include contact tracing, surveillance, and strict infection prevention protocols.
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State Epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong explained that even a single confirmed case qualifies as an outbreak, which is why the Emergency Operations Centre was activated without delay. Rapid response teams have since been deployed to Akamkpa, while all identified contacts are being closely monitored within the virus’s incubation period.
Officials say there is currently no evidence of wider transmission, and efforts are ongoing to determine the specific strain involved.
Health experts continue to emphasise basic preventive measures such as regular handwashing, use of face masks, and physical distancing. They also warn against misinformation, stressing the importance of relying on verified updates from health authorities.
Although Nigeria has seen a significant drop in COVID-19 cases since the peak of the pandemic in 2020, experts note that occasional cases are expected due to global travel and ongoing circulation of the virus.
