Nigeria has recorded a fresh case of COVID-19 in Cross River State, raising fresh concerns years after the global pandemic that claimed millions of lives subsided.
The Cross River State Ministry of Health confirmed that the index case involves a Chinese national currently receiving medical attention, with authorities already initiating contact tracing to contain any potential spread.
The state Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar, noting that the case marks the first significant incidence of the virus in the state since 2022.
Ayuk explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, but began showing symptoms on April 10, suggesting the infection may have been contracted locally after the 14-day incubation period.
He said, “We have activated our response mechanisms and commenced profiling and tracing of all contacts. Our health teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient resides and works, to prevent further transmission.”
The commissioner, however, urged residents not to panic, assuring that the state government has the capacity to manage the situation effectively.
“We advise residents to remain vigilant but continue their lawful activities. The situation is under control, and necessary measures have been put in place,” he added.
Also speaking, the World Health Organisation coordinator in the state, Yewande Olatunde, warned that the virus has not been completely eradicated globally, stressing the need for sustained public health consciousness.
According to the World Health Organization official, emerging variants continue to pose risks, making adherence to preventive protocols crucial.
“COVID-19 is still present in different forms across the world. Nigerians must remain cautious, maintain hygiene practices, and comply with health advisories,” Olatunde said.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control indicates that the virus claimed about 3,000 lives in Nigeria during the peak of the pandemic.
First detected in China in late 2019, COVID-19 rapidly spread across continents, triggering lockdowns, economic disruptions, and an unprecedented global health crisis.
Although the situation improved following the rollout of vaccines and public health interventions, health experts warn that sporadic cases and new variants remain a possibility.
The latest development has prompted renewed calls for vigilance among Nigerians, even as authorities intensify surveillance to prevent a resurgence of the virus.
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