The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a COVID-19 case in Cross River State, triggering contact tracing and other containment measures.

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said the patient has been isolated and is receiving care in line with national treatment guidelines.

“The patient is in stable condition and responding to care,” the NCDC said.

The Cross River State Government identified the case as a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working in Akamkpa Local Government Area. Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, said the patient arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and initially presented mild symptoms before being admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where the infection was confirmed.

He said the patient is currently receiving treatment at the state’s designated isolation centre and is responding well.

Ayuk noted that authorities delayed public disclosure until diagnostic protocols were completed to prevent misinformation, while assuring residents that there is no cause for panic.

“The state is safe. There is no cause for alarm, but we must all play our part in preventing the spread,” he said.

Following confirmation, the NCDC and the state Ministry of Health activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance and infection prevention protocols, in collaboration with development partners.

“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission,” the agency said.

State Epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said the Emergency Operations Centre was activated immediately, noting that even a single confirmed case meets the threshold for an outbreak.

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“With even a single confirmed case, it qualifies as an outbreak,” she said, adding that rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa LGA, while contact tracing and line-listing of exposed persons are ongoing within the virus’s incubation period of two to 14 days.

Health officials said this is the first officially recorded COVID-19 case in the state since 2022, attributing the low visibility of infections in recent years to vaccination coverage and the prevalence of mild or unreported cases.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Jonah Offor, commended the coordinated response involving the state government and partners.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also stressed the need for sustained surveillance and public awareness. WHO State Coordinator, Olatunde Rebecca, warned against misinformation, noting that COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, and that preventive measures such as hand hygiene, mask use and physical distancing remain important.

She added that efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with national authorities, to determine the specific strain involved in the current case.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Ekpo Bassey, said the state has strengthened its outbreak response capacity in recent years, enabling early detection and rapid containment.

The NCDC said Nigeria’s surveillance systems remain active, noting that the detection of the case reflects continued monitoring of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

Nigeria recorded its first COVID-19 case in February 2020, prompting a nationwide response led by the NCDC. Although cases have significantly declined since the peak of the pandemic, public health experts say sporadic infections are expected due to global travel and ongoing virus circulation.

Meiza Nigeria