The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a fresh COVID-19 case in Cross River State, involving a 53-year-old Chinese national.
The agency in a terse statement on Tuesday said it was working closely with the state authorities on the development.
“The NCDC is aware of this and are working closely with the state. A statement would be released soon to address this properly,” the agency stated.
The agency’s statement follows an earlier disclosure by the Cross River State Government that a new case of COVID-19 had been detected and has activated its public health emergency response mechanisms to contain any potential spread.
Henry Ayuk, the State Commissioner for Health, who disclosed this in Calabar infirmed that the Chinese expatriate arrived Nigeria about a month ago and works in a company at Akamkpa Local Government Area.
“The patient, who initially presented mild symptoms, was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were collected and the infection confirmed.
“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” the commissioner said.
He emphasised that the government deliberately delayed public announcement until all diagnostic protocols were completed to avoid misinformation, adding that the state remains vigilant in disease surveillance and response.
He urged residents not to panic assuring that, “The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread.”
Inyang Ekpenyong, the state’s epidemiologist, confirmed that this is the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in Cross River since 2022, attributing the low visibility of recent cases to widespread vaccination and the prevalence of mild or unreported infections.
“With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC),” Ekpenyong said.
She added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa LGA, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed individuals are ongoing. Identified contacts are being monitored daily within the virus’ incubation period of two to 14 days.
