Fresh Covid-19 case confirmed in Nigeria by Cross River state govt
A new case of COVID-19 in Nigeria has been confirmed by the Cross River state government
News Agency of Nigeria reported that Henry Ayuk, the state commissioner for health disclosed the latest development at a press conference on Tuesday.
The commissiner said the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa LGA, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and subsequently developed symptoms.
According to the commissioner, the patient’s condition worsened at a state facility, prompting his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were taken and the infection confirmed.
Ayuk said the state ministry of health has been strengthened to manage disease outbreaks, adding that there is no cause for alarm.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” NAN quoted the commissioner as saying
“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we ensured that all processes for confirming COVID-19 were duly followed.
“The protocols have been followed and it has been confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese working in Akamkpa LGA has COVID-19.”
Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, said the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing ongoing.
She added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to contain the spread.
Ekpenyong said the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the state was recorded in 2022, noting that investigations suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.
“The incubation period is usually between two and 14 days. The patient arrived on March 17 and developed symptoms on April 10, which is beyond the incubation window,” she said.
“We have activated the emergency response centre and are conducting contact tracing as part of containment efforts.”
Yewande Olatunde, the World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in the state, said COVID-19 remains in circulation and urged residents to observe preventive measures.
