Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

The Government of Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, triggering immediate activation of emergency health protocols, surveillance operations, and contact tracing measures across affected areas of the state.

The announcement was made in Calabar by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and later developed symptoms while in Cross River. He was first treated at a government health facility before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and tested in line with established COVID-19 testing protocols. The results confirmed the presence of the virus.

Health authorities, however, assured residents that the patient is currently stable and responding to treatment, urging the public not to panic.

The commissioner explained that the state government deliberately followed due process before making the announcement public to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation. He added that the health system in Cross River has been strengthened to handle infectious disease outbreaks and maintain effective surveillance.

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The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that the State Emergency Response Unit (SERU) has been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case. She said rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area to support containment efforts.

She further disclosed that health officials have begun contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, particularly those he came into contact with during his movement within the state.

Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, making the current situation a renewed focus for public health surveillance. She added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the infection was contracted locally or imported.

According to preliminary assessments, the patient developed symptoms on April 10, 2026—more than two weeks after arriving in Nigeria. Health experts say this falls outside the typical 2–14 day COVID-19 incubation period, raising questions about possible local transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, has also urged continued vigilance, stressing that COVID-19 remains a global public health concern despite reduced emergency classification.

She advised residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to public health guidance to reduce the risk of spread.

State health authorities emphasized that there is currently no cause for alarm, noting that containment systems, surveillance teams, and emergency response structures are fully active to prevent any potential outbreak.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any suspected case of COVID-19 in Nigeria is swiftly detected, isolated, and managed to protect public health.

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River