*Chinese Expatriate In Isolation
NIGERIA has recorded a fresh case of COVID-19 in Cross River State. The Cross River State Ministry of Health has already begun profiling and tracing individuals in the state who have been in contact with a Chinese national admitted after testing positive for the virus.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, who confirmed the case in Calabar on Tuesday, April 21, while briefing journalist on a resurgence of the deadly SARS variant in the state, said Cross River is recording its first significant case since 2022.
While promising to stem the spread of the virus even further, Ayuk said the patient, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17, was believed to have contracted the virus within Nigeria after surpassing the 14-day incubation period, as signs and symptoms were noticed on April 10.
He charged the people of the state to remain watchful, but feel free to go about their normal daily legitimate duties, assuring the state was capable of fighting and preventing the spread of the epidemic.
He confirmed that the 53-year-old Chinese expatriate, who arrived Nigeria about a month ago and works in a company at Akamkpa Local Council, and “initially presented mild symptoms, was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were collected and the infection confirmed.”
He added: “The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment.”
He said government deliberately delayed public announcement of the case until all diagnostic protocols were completed to avoid misinformation, adding that the state remains vigilant in disease surveillance and response.
The commissioner said global interconnectedness continues to expose populations to infectious diseases, stressing that COVID-19, like other outbreaks, is not peculiar to Nigeria.
He, however, said his ministry has mobilised health workers across communities in Akamkpa Local Council, where the patient lived and worked, to avert possible spread, noting: “We are living in a world of mobile populations, and public health threats can easily cross borders. What matters is the capacity to detect and contain them promptly, and that is what we are doing.
“The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread.”
The State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, added: “With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).”
Ekpenyong stated that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Council, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed individuals were ongoing, while identified contacts were being monitored daily within the virus’ incubation period of two to 14 days.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated efforts among the state government, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners in managing the situation.
WHO State Coordinator, Olatunde Rebecca, highlighted the importance of sustained surveillance, risk communication and provision of testing materials, warning against misinformation, which she described as a key factor that can worsen outbreak outcomes.
She said efforts were underway, in collaboration with national health authorities, to determine the specific strain involved in the current case.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said the state has improved significantly in outbreak response, compared to previous years, saying early detection and rapid intervention now prevent widespread transmission.
Health experts charged residents to remain calm, adhere to preventive guidelines and promptly report symptoms to health facilities.
