The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, prompting the activation of its emergency response mechanisms.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, said the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms.
Ayuk explained that the individual’s condition deteriorated while receiving care at a state facility, leading to his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were collected and the infection confirmed.
Despite the development, the commissioner assured residents that there is no cause for panic, noting that the state’s health system has been strengthened to handle outbreaks.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” he said.
He added that all required protocols were strictly followed in confirming the case.
“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.”
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, disclosed that the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing already underway. She noted that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to contain any potential spread.
Ekpenyong further revealed that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the state was recorded in 2022, adding that preliminary findings suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation coordinator in the state, Yewande Olatunde, reminded residents that COVID-19 is still in circulation and urged adherence to preventive measures.
