A new case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Nigeria, with the case recorded in Cross River State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing in Calabar.
He said the patient is a 53-year-old Chinese national who works with Lafarge and arrived Nigeria on March 17 before falling ill.
Dr Ayuk explained that the patient’s condition worsened at a medical facility under his office before he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where samples were taken and standard protocols were observed. The case was later confirmed as COVID-19.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the commissioner said.
He added that the state Ministry of Health has been strengthened to respond effectively to disease outbreaks, noting that surveillance and containment measures are in place.
“Unfortunately, there have been silent infections and clear cases from time to time. 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,” he said.
“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.”
He also confirmed that proper protocols were followed before the diagnosis was made.
“The protocols have been followed and confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese who work in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state has COVID-19,” he added.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, said the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing and listing of possible contacts already underway.
She noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River State was in 2022, and suggested the possibility that the infection may have been contracted within Nigeria.
“The incubation period for this virus is usually between two to 14 days, but the Chinese flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and started developing the symptoms on April 10.
“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period. Like I said, we are doing the line listing of those he may have come in contact with, as part of our containment efforts.
“We have also activated the emergency response center and deployed rapid response teams to Akamkpa, where the victim works.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak.
“It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die,” she stated.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, also confirmed that the virus remains present and urged residents to maintain preventive measures.
“We must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves,” she said.