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Cross River Flags New COVID-19 Concerns as 10 Symptomatic Contacts Identified in Calabar Axis

April 23, 2026 I Calabar, Cross River State

Enworo   Daniel     April 23, 2026, 8:08 pm



Health authorities in Cross River State have intensified containment measures following the identification of 10 individuals exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, in what officials describe as a controlled but closely monitored public health situation

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The development follows the confirmation earlier this week of a fresh COVID-19 case in Calabar, marking the state’s first recorded incidence in recent years. The index patient, a 53-year-old Chinese national employed at a Lafarge facility in Akamkpa Local Government Area, arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, before developing symptoms weeks later.

He was initially treated at a local facility before his condition worsened, prompting transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where laboratory tests confirmed the infection.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed the case during a press briefing in Calabar on April 21, assuring residents that th...

e situation remains under control and does not warrant panic.

Contact Tracing Expands

Subsequent epidemiological investigations led to the identification of 10 additional individuals linked to the confirmed case. These persons, traced primarily within the Akamkpa industrial corridor, have been isolated after presenting symptoms associated with the virus.

Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong confirmed that the individuals were discovered during field surveillance and workplace tracing operations. Their movements have been restricted as part of containment protocols aimed at preventing community transmission.

Authorities have activated the state’s emergency response system, deploying rapid response teams and initiating comprehensive contact tracing across affected zones.

Federal Oversight and Risk Assessment

Nigeria’s public health authorities have corroborated the situation, confirming that the case remains isolated, with no evidence of widespread transmission at this stage. The patient is reported to be in stable condition and responding to treatment under national care protocols.

Officials emphasize that surveillance systems remain active nationwide, noting that sporadic cases are expected given the virus’s continued global circulation.

Historical Context

Nigeria first recorded COVID-19 on February 27, 2020, when an Italian national tested positive in Lagos, triggering a nationwide response framework that remains operational today.

Cross River, which had reported its last confirmed case in 2022, had since maintained a low-incidence profile until the current development.

Public Advisory

Health authorities are urging residents to maintain vigilance, adhere to hygiene protocols, and report symptoms promptly.

While officials insist there is no cause for alarm, the resurgence underscores the persistence of the virus and the need for sustained public health awareness.



Further updates are expected as monitoring and containment efforts continue.

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