Cross River: Chinese man tests positive for COVID-19, isolated

The Cross River State Government has confirmed a case of COVID-19 and swiftly activated its public health emergency response mechanisms to contain any potential spread, health authorities announced. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar, assuring residents that the situation is under control and does not warrant panic.

According to Ayuk, the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived Nigeria about a month ago and works in a company at Akamkpa Local Government Area.

“The patient, who initially presented mild symptoms, was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were collected and the infection confirmed.

“The patient is currently receiving care at the state’s designated isolation and treatment centre and is responding well to treatment,” the commissioner said.

He emphasized that the government deliberately delayed public announcement until all diagnostic protocols were completed to avoid misinformation, adding that the state remains vigilant in disease surveillance and response.

Ayuk noted that global interconnectedness continues to expose populations to infectious diseases, stressing that COVID-19, like other outbreaks, is not peculiar to Nigeria.

“We are living in a world of mobile populations, and public health threats can easily cross borders. What matters is the capacity to detect and contain them promptly, and that is what we are doing. Vanguard