By Abasi Ita
The Cross River State Government has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19, sparking concerns over a possible re-emergence of the virus after nearly three years without a recorded infection.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed the development on Tuesday during a press briefing in Calabar, the state capital.
Ayuk revealed that the index case involves a Chinese national working with Lafarge, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms weeks after entry into the country.
According to him, the patient’s condition worsened at a state medical facility, necessitating an emergency transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where further investigations confirmed the infection.
“At the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, samples were taken in line with established protocols, and it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms consistent with COVID-19,” Ayuk said. “The patient is currently responding to treatment.”
The commissioner sought to calm public anxiety, noting that the state’s health system has been strengthened to effectively manage infectious disease outbreaks.
He added that the last confirmed case in Cross River was recorded in 2022 and explained that preliminary findings suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.
“The incubation period for COVID-19 ranges between two and 14 days. However, this individual arrived on March 17 and only began showing symptoms on April 10, which exceeds the typical incubation window,” he stated.
Ayuk disclosed that contact tracing has commenced to identify those who may have been exposed, while the state has activated its emergency response centre and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient resides.
“There is no way to completely stop the virus, but we can prevent an outbreak by containing it effectively and ensuring it does not lead to fatalities,” he added.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation Coordinator in the state, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, cautioned that COVID-19 remains a global health concern and urged residents to stay vigilant and comply with public health guidelines.
The latest development has prompted renewed calls for caution as health authorities intensify surveillance to prevent further spread of the virus in the state.