Cross River Confirms First COVID-19 Case Since 2022

Cross River State officials confirmed on Tuesday the first COVID-19 case in the region since 2022, involving a 53-year-old Chinese national employed by Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The announcement came during a press conference in Calabar, where health authorities detailed the patient's arrival in Nigeria on March 17 and the onset of symptoms on April 10.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, explained that the man initially sought treatment at a state medical facility, where his condition worsened, prompting a transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. There, samples were collected and tested according to standard protocols, confirming the infection. "We are happy to report that he is doing well," Ayuk said, emphasizing that the state's health ministry has been restructured under the current administration to manage outbreaks effectively. He noted that the case was reported three to four days prior and that all verification steps were meticulously followed to ensure accuracy.

The timeline suggests the virus was likely contracted within Nigeria, as the patient's symptoms appeared more than 14 days after his arrival from China, exceeding the...