The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in Cross River State, assuring Nigerians that there is no evidence of widespread transmission.
This was contained in a statement signed by the agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris, and shared with the media on Wednesday.
According to the agency, the confirmed case remains the only infection recorded so far, with the patient already isolated and receiving treatment in line with national guidelines.
“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the statement read.
The NCDC disclosed that response measures have been activated in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Health and partners. These include contact tracing, enhanced surveillance, and strict infection prevention and control protocols.
It added that routine monitoring for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections remains ongoing nationwide, noting that the detection of the case demonstrates that surveillance systems are still effective and responsive.
The agency advised the public to maintain proper hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and respiratory etiquette, while urging anyone feeling unwell to stay home and seek medical attention through official health channels.
Earlier, the Cross River State Government confirmed the case during a press briefing in Calabar. The Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, revealed that the patient is a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
“At the UCTH, his samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19,” Mr Ayuk said, noting that the patient is responding to treatment.
He explained that the individual arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms that worsened before being transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Ayuk assured residents that the state has strengthened its healthcare system to manage potential outbreaks and urged the public not to panic.
Also speaking, the state epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said emergency response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa, with contact tracing and line listing of possible exposures already underway.
She noted that the incubation period for COVID-19 typically ranges from two to 14 days, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in the state, Yewande Olatunde, urged continued vigilance, stressing that the virus remains in circulation globally.
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was first identified in 2019 and later declared a global pandemic in March 2020, with millions of deaths recorded worldwide. The disease primarily affects the respiratory system and spreads through droplets from infected individuals, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
