CALABAR, Nigeria — The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking the first reported infection in the state in several years, officials said on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Dr Henry Ayuk, the state Commissioner for Health, announced the development at a news conference in Calabar, stating that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
According to Ayuk, the individual arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later fell ill.
His condition deteriorated at a government medical facility, prompting his transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and standard protocols followed.
“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,” Ayuk said.
He added that the patient’s condition had improved, saying, “We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well.”
State Activates Emergency Response
Health authorities said the state’s emergency response system had been activated following the confirmation of the case.
Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, the State Epidemiologist, said contact tracing efforts were underway, including the identification and monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient.
She noted that the last confirmed case in Cross River had been recorded in 2022, raising concerns about how the infection was contracted.
“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,” Ekpenyong said.
“This is well beyond the 14 days incubation period.”
She added that rapid response teams had been deployed to Akamkpa and that the emergency operations centre had been activated to coordinate containment efforts.
“There is no way we can stop this disease, but we can stop the disease outbreak,” Ekpenyong said. “It will be wrong not to contain or manage it by ensuring that people do not die.”
Officials Urge Calm and Vigilance
Ayuk said the state had strengthened its health systems to respond to outbreaks and urged residents not to panic.
“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.”
He added that authorities had taken several days to confirm the case to ensure that all diagnostic procedures were properly followed.
Officials from the World Health Organisation also called for continued preventive measures.
Dr Yewande Olatunde, the organisation’s coordinator in Cross River, said, “We we must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves.”
