• The Cross River State has confirmed its first official COVID-19 case since 2022 with a 53-year-old Chinese patient working in Akamkpa LGA
• Authorities said the patient is stable and responding to treatment but contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention measures have been activated
• Officials urged residents to remain calm while following preventive measures such as handwashing, face masks, and physical distancing

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Cross River State Government have confirmed a new COVID-19 case in Cross River, prompting authorities to activate emergency response measures and contact tracing efforts.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, April 21, the NCDC said the patient had already been isolated and was receiving treatment in line with national guidelines.

“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the agency stated.

Speaking in Calabar, Henry Ayuk said the confirmed case involved a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate employed by 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.

According to him, the patient initially showed mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were collected and later tested positive for COVID-19.

“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” he added.

Ayuk explained that the government delayed making the case public until all diagnostic procedures had been completed in order to avoid misinformation.

“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 said it had begun working closely with the state Ministry of Health and development partners to contain the infection.

“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.

The agency also said all identified contacts were under close monitoring and that there was no sign of wider transmission.

“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the NCDC added.

Inyang Ekpenyong, the State Epidemiologist, said the situation qualified as an outbreak because even a single confirmed case is enough to trigger emergency action.

“With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre,” she said.

Ekpenyong said rapid response teams had already been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed persons continued within the virus’s incubation period of two to 14 days.

She noted that this was the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in the state since 2022, adding that vaccination and mild, unreported infections may have contributed to the low visibility of recent cases.

Also speaking, Jonah Offor praised the collaboration between the state government and development partners, including the World Health Organization.

Olatunde Rebecca warned residents against misinformation and urged them to continue observing preventive measures.

“COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face masks, and physical distancing remain critical,” she said.

Rebecca also said efforts were ongoing to identify the specific strain involved in the confirmed case.

Meanwhile, Ekpo Bassey said the state’s improved outbreak response systems had helped ensure quick detection and containment.

The NCDC maintained that Nigeria’s disease surveillance system remained active and effective.

“We continue to maintain routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. The detection of this case reflects that these systems remain functional and responsive,” the agency said.

Health experts say isolated infections are still expected because of international travel and the continued circulation of the virus globally. They added that rapid detection, contact tracing, and sustained surveillance remain essential in preventing wider outbreaks.

NCDC issues public advisory on Lassa fever following doctor’s death after UK trip

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had issued a new public advisory on Lassa fever in light of the death of a 31-year-old physician from Ondo State, who succumbed to the disease shortly after returning from the United Kingdom.

The NCDC also noted that, as of March 2, 2025, there have been 535 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 98 deaths out of 2,728 suspected cases in 14 states throughout Nigeria.