Cross River Confirms New COVID-19 Case

Health authorities in Cross River State have confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking the first officially reported infection in the state since 2022. The patient, a 53-year-old Chinese national employed in Akamkpa Local Government Area, is currently receiving care at a state isolation and treatment centre. Officials report that the patient is responding well to treatment and his condition remains stable.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, announced the confirmation on Tuesday in Calabar. The patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and began exhibiting symptoms on April 10. Given that this timeframe exceeds the standard 14-day incubation period, health experts believe the individual contracted the virus locally rather than during travel.

The Cross River State Ministry of Health has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to manage the situation. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to conduct line listing and contact tracing. Over 60 contacts have already been identified and are currently under close monitoring to prevent further transmission.

Health officials have urged the public to remain calm, noting that the state has strengthened its surveillance and response mechanisms to manage such outbreaks. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially ended the global public health emergency for COVID-19 in May 2023, the virus continues to circulate worldwide. Local authorities are advising residents to maintain standard preventive practices, including good hand hygiene and reporting any symptoms to the nearest health facility.