LunagisthubCross River Confirms New COVID-19 Case: NCDC Begins Contact Tracing, Says No Cause for Panic
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Cross River State Government have confirmed a new COVID-19 case in the state the first officially recorded infection there since 2022. Both agencies say emergency protocols are active but residents should not panic.
According to Health Commissioner Henry Ayuk, the patient is a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago. He works at a company in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
The patient showed mild symptoms, was admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and later tested positive. He’s now receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre.
“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the NCDC said in a Tuesday night statement. Ayuk added: “The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread.”
Once the case was confirmed, the Cross River Ministry of Health, NCDC, and development partners launched immediate response steps:
| Action Taken | Status |
| Patient isolation & treatment | Ongoing, patient stable |
| Contact tracing | All identified contacts being monitored |
| Surveillance | Active across Akamkpa LGA |
| Infection prevention & control | Emergency Operations Centre activated |
| Rapid response teams | Deployed to affected area |
State Epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong explained that even one confirmed case counts as an outbreak by definition. “With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre,” she said.
Contact tracing and line-listing of exposed persons are ongoing within the 2–14 day incubation window. So far, the NCDC reports no evidence of widespread transmission.
Ekpenyong noted that low visibility of COVID-19 in recent years is due to vaccination coverage and many mild or unreported cases. This new case ends a three-year gap in official records for the state.
WHO State Coordinator Olatunde Rebecca stressed that surveillance and clear communication are critical to stop misinformation. “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.
Efforts are also underway with national authorities to identify the specific COVID-19 strain involved.
Health officials and partners including WHO recommend:
wash hands regularly or use sanitizer
in crowded or enclosed spaces
Maintain physical distancing where possible
Report symptoms early .to the nearest health facility
Cross River has one confirmed, stable COVID-19 case after three years. The NCDC and state government have activated contact tracing and surveillance. No community spread has been detected. Stay alert, follow basic prevention, and avoid misinformation.
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