A fresh case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Cross River State, raising fears of a possible resurgence of the virus after nearly three years without any recorded infection in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Calabar, stating that the index case involves a Chinese national working with Lafarge.
Ayuk said the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17 but only developed symptoms on April 10, a timeline that exceeds the typical incubation period of the virus and has prompted further investigation into the source of infection.
He explained that the patient’s condition deteriorated while receiving care at a state facility, necessitating an emergency transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
According to the commissioner, the patient is currently responding to treatment, while health authorities continue to monitor his condition closely.
Despite the development, Ayuk reassured residents that the state is well-prepared to handle infectious disease outbreaks, noting that significant improvements have been made to the healthcare system since the last COVID-19 case was recorded in 2022.
He added that preliminary findings suggest the infection may have been contracted within Nigeria, rather than imported, given the extended period between the patient’s arrival and onset of symptoms.
In response, the state government has activated its emergency response mechanisms, including contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who may have come into contact with the patient.
Rapid response teams have also been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient is based, as part of containment efforts.
Ayuk stressed that while it may not be possible to completely eliminate the virus, early detection and swift intervention remain critical to preventing a wider outbreak.
“There is no way to completely stop the virus, but we can limit its spread and prevent fatalities through effective containment measures,” he said.
Also speaking, the World Health Organisation coordinator in the state, Yewande Olatunde, cautioned that COVID-19 has not been eradicated globally.
She urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Health experts say the new case highlights the need for sustained surveillance and public awareness, even as many regions scale down emergency responses to the pandemic.
Authorities in Cross River have assured the public that the situation is under control, with enhanced monitoring and preparedness measures in place to prevent further spread of the virus.
Leave a Reply