Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Cross River State Government has confirmed the first official case of COVID-19 in the state since 2022, identifying the patient as a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria last month. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, announced the development on Tuesday in Calabar, the state capital, assuring residents that the situation is under control and that there is no cause for alarm. The patient, who works with a company at Akamkpa Local Government Area, is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and is said to be responding well to treatment.
According to health officials, the Chinese national flew into Nigeria via Lagos on March 17, 2026, and travelled to Calabar en route to a factory in Akamkpa. Initial symptoms were detected at a clinic there, after which his condition worsened. He was subsequently transferred to UCTH, where samples were collected and the infection confirmed through all necessary diagnostic protocols. The Commissioner explained that the government deliberately delayed the public announcement until the diagnostic processes were complete to avoid the spread of misinformation. "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," Ayuk said. He reiterated that the state remains vigilant in disease surveillance and response.
The confirmation of this case has immediately triggered public health response mechanisms across the state. Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, the State Epidemiologist, announced that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated. Rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient worked, and contact tracing is already underway. Ekpenyong disclosed that the last officially recorded case of COVID-19 in Cross River was in 2022, attributing the long gap to widespread vaccination and the prevalence of mild or unreported infections that may have been mistaken for malaria. "With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak, and that is why we immediately activated the EOC," she said. She noted that the incubation period for the virus is two to 14 days, and identified contacts are being monitored daily.
A key point of concern raised by health officials is the possibility that the Chinese expatriate may have contracted the virus locally rather than importing it. Ekpenyong noted that while the typical incubation period is between two and 14 days, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17 but did not start developing symptoms until April 10, which is well beyond the expected 14 days. This has led to the suspicion that he may have been infected in Nigeria. "The Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing the symptoms on April 10. This is well beyond the 14-day incubation period," the epidemiologist explained. She stressed that while the disease cannot be entirely stopped, a full-blown outbreak can be prevented, adding that "it will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die".
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, confirmed that the disease remains a global threat and urged residents to take preventive measures seriously. She highlighted the importance of sustained surveillance, risk communication, and the provision of testing materials. "COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. Preventive measures such as hand hygiene, use of face masks, and physical distancing remain critical," she warned, also cautioning against the dangers of misinformation during outbreaks. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated efforts between the state government, WHO, and other partners in managing the situation.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said the state has significantly improved its outbreak response capacity compared to previous years, noting that early detection and rapid intervention now prevent widespread transmission. The health authorities have urged residents to remain calm, adhere strictly to preventive guidelines, and promptly report any suspicious symptoms to the nearest health facility. As the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River in four years, the development serves as a sobering reminder that the pandemic is not yet a relic of history. With global travel resuming and populations moving across borders, public health systems must remain on high alert. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the state’s swift response can successfully contain this isolated case or whether it marks the beginning of a wider resurgence.
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