The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has confirmed a single case of COVID-19 in the state, prompting the activation of emergency response measures while urging residents not to panic.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the NCDC said the confirmed patient had been isolated and is currently receiving treatment in line with national clinical guidelines.
“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the agency stated.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working in a company located in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and initially presented mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” Ayuk said, adding that the government delayed public disclosure until full confirmation was obtained to prevent misinformation.
He reassured residents that the situation was under control, stressing that “the state is safe” and there is no cause for alarm.
Following the confirmation, the NCDC said it immediately activated coordinated response mechanisms, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention measures in collaboration with state health authorities and development partners.
“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the agency said.
The State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, described the case as an outbreak under public health definition standards, explaining that even a single confirmed infection triggers emergency protocols and activation of the Emergency Operations Centre.
She added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa LGA, while contact tracing and monitoring of exposed individuals are ongoing within the virus’s incubation period of two to 14 days.
Health authorities noted that this is the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River since 2022, attributing the low number of reported infections in recent years to vaccination coverage and largely mild or undetected cases.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated response between state authorities and international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHO State Coordinator, Olatunde Rebecca, emphasized continued adherence to preventive measures such as hand hygiene, mask use, and physical distancing, warning against misinformation.
Rebecca also said efforts were underway with national agencies to determine the specific variant involved in the case.
The NCDC reiterated that Nigeria’s surveillance system remains active and effective, noting that early detection reflects improved monitoring capacity rather than widespread transmission.
Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case in February 2020, and while infections have declined significantly since the peak of the pandemic, health experts warn that sporadic cases may still occur due to global travel and ongoing virus circulation.
