The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cross River State Government have confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in the state, activating emergency response measures while assuring residents there is no cause for panic.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, the NCDC said the confirmed case had been isolated and was being managed in line with national treatment guidelines.
“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the agency stated.
Providing further details 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.
“The confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works in a company at Akamkpa Local Government Area,” Ayuk said.
He explained that the patient initially presented mild symptoms and 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,” he added.
The commissioner noted that the government delayed public announcement until diagnostic protocols 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,” Ayuk said.
The NCDC noted that, following confirmation, coordinated response measures were immediately activated in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and development partners.
“Following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with NCDC and with support from partners, has activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control,” the statement read.
Health authorities said all identified contacts were being actively monitored, with no indication of further spread.
“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the NCDC added.
The State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, described the development as an outbreak by definition, noting that even a single confirmed case triggers emergency protocols.
