Elegbede Abiodun
Cross River Activates Emergency Response As It Confirms First COVID-19 Case Since 2022.
The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19 and has promptly activated its public health emergency response systems to prevent further spread.
Speaking in Calabar on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, assured residents that the situation is under control and urged the public not to panic.
He explained that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and is employed at a company in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The individual initially showed mild symptoms but was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where tests confirmed the infection.
According to Ayuk, the patient is currently receiving treatment at the state’s designated isolation centre and is responding well.
The commissioner noted that authorities intentionally delayed announcing the case until all diagnostic procedures were completed, in order to avoid misinformation. He emphasized that the state remains vigilant in monitoring and responding to infectious diseases.
Highlighting the realities of global travel, Ayuk said disease outbreaks can easily cross borders, adding that the key to managing them lies in rapid detection and containment.
“The state is safe, and there is no cause for alarm. However, residents must continue to take preventive measures seriously,” he said.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that this is the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in Cross River since 2022. She attributed the low number of reported cases in recent times to widespread vaccination and the likelihood of mild or undetected infections.
She added that symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat can resemble malaria, which may contribute to underreporting. Despite this, she stressed that even a single confirmed case qualifies as an outbreak, prompting the immediate activation of the Emergency Operations Centre.
Rapid response teams have since been deployed to Akamkpa, while contact tracing efforts are ongoing. Individuals who may have been exposed are being closely monitored throughout the virus’s incubation period.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Offor, praised the collaboration between the state government, the World Health Organization, and other partners in handling the situation.
The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Olatunde Rebecca, underscored the importance of continuous surveillance, effective communication, and adequate testing resources. She also warned that misinformation could worsen the impact of outbreaks.
She reminded the public that COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, urging adherence to preventive measures such as hand hygiene, mask use, and physical distancing.
Rebecca added that efforts are ongoing to identify the specific strain involved in the current case.
Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, noted that the state has significantly strengthened its outbreak response capacity in recent years, enabling quicker detection and intervention.
Health authorities have called on residents to remain calm, follow safety guidelines, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms arise.
