Yemi Obafemi
The Cross River State Government has refuted reports claiming the emergence of 10 new COVID-19 cases, clarifying that only one confirmed case has been recorded in the state.
Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, made the clarification on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, describing the reports as inaccurate.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that the information that has gone around that 10 more cases have been identified in Cross River is not correct; we have only one case,” Ayuk said.
He explained that the confusion likely stemmed from information about 10 individuals identified as contacts of the confirmed case, which may have been misinterpreted as fresh infections.
The confirmed case involves a Chinese national who arrived in Nigeria from China on March 17 and later travelled to Calabar for work. The individual reportedly tested positive for the virus on April 17 after developing symptoms.
Ayuk noted that the patient is currently receiving care at an isolation centre in Calabar and is responding positively to treatment.
“He is currently being kept and managed effectively at the isolation centre in Calabar. He is doing well, and he is getting better on a daily basis,” he said.
He added that all identified contacts are under close monitoring for a 14-day period as part of containment efforts.
“People who have a close relationship with him have been listed, and we are monitoring them closely for at least 14 days,” he said.
The commissioner further stated that the state has activated its emergency response mechanisms following the confirmation of the case, stressing that authorities are treating the situation with urgency.
“It’s an outbreak, and for us, as far as COVID-19 is concerned, when you have a case, it’s a risk to the whole, so we are not taking it lightly,” Ayuk said.
