- CRSG confirms patient as Chinese national
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government (CRSG) has announced the outbreak of COVID-19 positive case in the state involving a Chinese national, who worked with Lafarge and flew into the country on 17th March 2026.
Addressing a media conference in Calabar on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk said in tracing the recent outbreak to the 53-year-old Chinese national, it was discovered that he suddenly took ill after arriving Nigeria and was diagnosed of COVID symptoms on April 10 a little above the incubation period.
Dr Ayuk said patient’s case grew worse at the medical facility of his office and had to be transferred immediately to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) where his samples were taken and all protocols duly followed.
“It was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19. We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” the Commissioner informed the journalists.
Dr Ayuk said for the Chinese, who works with Lafarge Cement Company in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, to have been diagnosed of the ailment after the incubation period points to the fact that he may have contacted the disease in Nigeria, even as he urged members of the public to continue observing laid down COVID 19 safety of protocols as it involves reporting all cases of persistent coughing, night sweating, and mild fever promptly for immediate medical attention.
He said the Ministry of Health has been re-positioned by the current administration to handle and manage any emergency situation, such as diseases or epidemic outbreaks, even though he admitted that there have been unfortunate cases of silent infections and diseases from time to time.
According to him, “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. 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.”
The Commissioner advised the members of the public to ensure they avoid contact with hard surfaces, unnecessary and frequent handshake as well as embracing the use of hand sanitizer and frequent washing of hands .
Also speaking on the development, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Cross River State, Dr Rebeca Olatunde appealed for calm as necessary steps are being taken to ensure the situation does not assume a pandemic status.
On the likelihood of enforcing a possible lock-down to curtail the spread, Dr Olatunde assured that the necessary steps of contact tracing, line check, and family contacts have been completed and the patient is responding positively to treatment.
While noting that the disease is still very much around, the WHO representative said: “We we must explore all preventive measures to protect ourselves and ensure everyone is safe.”
Reacting to the health emergency, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, who is the State Epidemiologist, announced that in response, the state emergency response unit had been activated, explaining that there is an ongoing contact tracing and line listing of those the Chinese may have been in contact with.
While noting the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in Cross River was in 2022, Dr Ekpenyong however said there are indications the Chinese may have contacted the virus here in Nigeria, noting that, “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”.
