New COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Cross River

By Amos W. Peter

The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking the first reported infection in the state since 2022.

According to a report by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, the State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday.

He said the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The individual reportedly arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms.

Ayuk explained that health authorities followed all necessary protocols before confirming the case. The patient was initially treated at a local medical facility but was later transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and the infection was confirmed.

He, however, noted that the patient is responding well to treatment.

The commissioner reassured residents that the state’s health system has been strengthened to effectively manage infectious disease outbreaks and urged the public not to panic.

Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing already underway.

Ekpenyong noted that although the incubation period for COVID-19 ranges from two to 14 days, the patient developed symptoms weeks after arrival, prompting further investigation.

He added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to contain the situation and monitor possible contacts.