The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Cross River State Government have confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in the state, triggering emergency response measures while assuring residents there is no cause for panic.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, the NCDC said the patient had been isolated and was receiving care in line with national treatment guidelines. “The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the agency stated.
Earlier in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed that the case involved a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working in a company in Akamkpa Local Government Area. According to him, the individual arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and initially presented mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples confirmed the infection.
Ayuk added that the patient is currently being managed at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment. He noted that authorities delayed the public announcement until diagnostic procedures were completed to avoid misinformation, while reassuring residents of their safety.
“The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread,” he said.
Following confirmation, the NCDC said coordinated response efforts were immediately activated in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and development partners, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control measures.
“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the agency added.
The State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, described the situation as an outbreak by definition, noting that even a single confirmed case necessitates emergency protocols. She confirmed that the Emergency Operations Centre had been activated, with rapid response teams deployed to Akamkpa LGA.
Ekpenyong said contact tracing and line-listing of exposed individuals were ongoing within the virus’s incubation period of two to 14 days. She also noted that this is the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in the state since 2022, attributing the low detection rate in recent years to vaccination efforts and the prevalence of mild or unreported infections.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated response between the state government and its partners, including the World Health Organization.
WHO State Coordinator, Olatunde Rebecca, emphasised the need for sustained surveillance and accurate risk communication, warning against misinformation. She reiterated that COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, urging continued adherence to preventive measures such as hand hygiene, mask use, and physical distancing.
Rebecca added that efforts were ongoing, in collaboration with national authorities, to determine the specific strain involved in the case.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Bassey, said the state has strengthened its outbreak response capacity, enabling early detection and rapid containment.
Meanwhile, the NCDC stressed that Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems remain active and effective, noting that the detection of the case demonstrates their responsiveness.
Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case in February 2020, prompting a nationwide response led by the NCDC. Although infections have declined significantly since the peak of the pandemic, health experts warn that sporadic cases remain likely due to global travel and continued virus circulation.
