The Cross River government says it has recorded a new case of COVID-19 in the state.

According to NAN, Henry Ayuk, the state commissioner for health, spoke at a press conference on Tuesday.

He said the index case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa LGA, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and subsequently developed symptoms.

Ayuk said the state ministry of health has been strengthened to manage disease outbreaks, adding that there is no cause for alarm.

“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well,” NAN quoted the commissioner as saying

“When this case was reported about three or four days ago, we ensured that all processes for confirming COVID-19 were duly followed.

“The protocols have been followed and it has been confirmed that a 53-year-old Chinese working in Akamkpa LGA has COVID-19.”

Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, said the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing ongoing.

She added that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa to contain the spread.

Ekpenyong said the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the state was recorded in 2022, noting that investigations suggest the patient may have contracted the virus within Nigeria.

“The incubation period is usually between two and 14 days. The patient arrived on March 17 and developed symptoms on April 10, which is beyond the incubation window,” she said.

“We have activated the emergency response centre and are conducting contact tracing as part of containment efforts.”

Yewande Olatunde, the World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in the state, said COVID-19 remains in circulation and urged residents to observe preventive measures.