The Cross River State Government has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19 in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar and assured residents that the situation is under control and does not require panic.
Ayuk stated that the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria through Lagos on March 17, 2026, before proceeding to a factory in Akamkpa Local Government Area, where symptoms were first noticed.
He explained that the patient initially showed mild symptoms and was referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were taken and the infection was confirmed.
The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment.
The commissioner added that the government delayed the public announcement until all diagnostic procedures were completed to prevent misinformation.
He noted that necessary measures, including contact tracing and isolation, have been activated to curb further spread of the virus.
State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said the case is the first officially recorded in Cross River since 2022 and noted that even a single confirmed case qualifies as an outbreak.
She added that the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, while rapid response teams have been deployed and contact tracing is ongoing.
Ekpenyong stated that identified contacts are being monitored daily within the virus’ incubation period of two to 14 days.
She further explained that some COVID-19 cases may go undetected due to mild symptoms or similarities with malaria, including fever, cough, and sore throat.
