By Obioha Victor
Nigeria has confirmed a fresh case of COVID-19 in Cross River State, but health authorities say the situation is under control and does not currently pose a wider public health threat.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egebe Ayuk, disclosed at a press briefing in Calabar that the patient – a 53-year-old Chinese national – fell ill after arriving in Nigeria on March 17 and was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Following established safety protocols, medical staff collected samples which confirmed the infection.
Ayuk said the patient is receiving care at the state’s designated isolation centre and is “responding well to treatment,” offering reassurance about his condition.
State epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong added that the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing underway to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed.
In response to the development, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has intensified surveillance and deployed rapid response teams to the state to prevent further spread.
Despite the new case, officials stress that there is currently no evidence of community transmission. Health authorities also indicated that the infection may not have been directly imported, as the onset of symptoms occurred outside the typical incubation period, raising the possibility of local exposure.
The World Health Organization, through its Cross River coordinator Dr. Yewande Olatunde, urged residents to remain vigilant, emphasizing that the virus has not been eradicated and that preventive measures remain essential.
Authorities have reassured the public that there is no cause for panic but advised continued adherence to basic health precautions as monitoring continues.
