The Cross River State Government has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19 in the state, marking a renewed concern over the virus after several years of low reporting.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, during a press briefing, according to NAN.
Ayuk said the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national employed by Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms consistent with the virus.
He explained that the patient’s condition deteriorated while receiving care at a state health facility, leading to his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were taken and COVID-19 was confirmed.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” NAN quoted the commissioner as saying.
“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we ensured that all processes for confirming COVID-19 were duly followed. The protocols have been followed and it has been confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese working in Akamkpa LGA has COVID-19.”
Ayuk added that the state health ministry has strengthened its disease surveillance systems and urged residents not to panic.
Also speaking, the state epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said emergency response measures have been activated, including contact tracing and deployment of rapid response teams to Akamkpa.
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She noted that the last recorded COVID-19 case in the state was in 2022 and suggested that the infection may have been locally acquired.
“The incubation period is usually between two and 14 days. The patient arrived on March 17 and developed symptoms on April 10, which is beyond the incubation window,” she said.
“We have activated the emergency response centre and are conducting contact tracing as part of containment efforts.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in Cross River, World Health Organization representative Yewande Olatunde, also urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing that COVID-19 is still in circulation and preventive measures should be maintained.