Cross River Identifies 10 More Persons With COVID-19 Symptoms

The Cross River State Government said it has identified and isolated 10 persons who interacted with a Chinese national who reimported COVID-19 into Nigeria.

State epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, disclosed that the individuals were traced through contact tracing after interacting with the index case and have since been placed under movement restriction.

“We’ve restricted their movements to their homes, so that they do not spread the symptoms to other persons,” Ekpenyong said, noting that the contacts were under close monitoring by health officials.

She added that surveillance teams had visited the expatriate’s workplace in Akamkpa to track possible exposure and prevent further transmission.

The affected Chinese national is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where authorities said he was responding positively.

Ekpenyong reminded residents that COVID-19, despite first emerging about six years ago, has not been eradicated, urging continued adherence to preventive measures.

She advised the public to maintain regular hand sanitisation, use face masks where necessary, and follow public health guidelines issued by experts.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, confirmed the first case and assured residents that all necessary containment protocols had been activated.

According to Ayuk, the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms while in Akamkpa.

He explained that the patient’s condition worsened while receiving treatment at a state facility before he was transferred to UCTH for advanced care.

“At the facility, samples were taken in line with established protocols, and it was confirmed that the patient showed symptoms of COVID-19,” Ayuk said.

“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” he added.

The commissioner stressed that the state’s health system has been strengthened to respond effectively to outbreaks, with surveillance mechanisms fully operational across Cross River State.

He acknowledged the presence of occasional silent infections but maintained that the government remained prepared to manage any public health threat.

“But we are determined that for every ailment, every disease or outbreak, if it is identified here in the state, there should be no alarm. The state will do well in terms of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. Whatever it is, we will do our best to contain it. So, there is no alarm,” Ayuk stated.

Ayuk further noted that COVID-19 remains a global concern, warning that cross-border movement of infected individuals continues to pose risks.

“COVID-19 is not peculiar to Nigeria. But we’re determined to contain it. There’s no cause for alarm,” he said.