RismadarVoice Reporters, April 21, 2026
The Cross River State Government has confirmed a case of COVID-19 in the state, prompting the activation of emergency health response mechanisms.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Calabar, the state capital. He revealed that the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to Ayuk, the individual arrived Nigeria on March 17 but later developed symptoms on April 10. His condition reportedly worsened while receiving care at a facility under the Ministry of Health, leading to his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for further management.
“At UCTH, necessary samples were taken and all required protocols observed. It was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19. We are, however, pleased to report that he is responding well to treatment,” the commissioner said.
He assured residents that the state’s health system has been strengthened to effectively manage disease outbreaks, urging the public not to panic.
“There is no cause for alarm. We are committed to surveillance and containment of any outbreak. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that this situation is under control,” Ayuk added.
Also speaking, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said the emergency response unit had been activated, with contact tracing and line listing of all possible contacts already underway.
She noted that although the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the state was recorded in 2022, preliminary findings suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria, given the timeline between his arrival and onset of symptoms.
“The incubation period for COVID-19 ranges from two to 14 days. However, this case falls outside that window, which suggests possible local transmission. Our rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa, and we are intensifying containment efforts,” she explained.
Ekpenyong emphasized that while the disease may not be completely preventable, its spread can be controlled through timely intervention and adherence to public health measures.
In her remarks, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River State, Dr. Yewande Olatunde, reminded residents that COVID-19 has not been eradicated and urged continued vigilance.
“We must continue to observe preventive measures and take responsibility for protecting ourselves and others,” she said.
The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that the situation does not escalate into a wider outbreak.
