…Fear of resurgence mounts
…NCDC, state govt intensify response
By Yahaya Umar
Following Tuesday’s index case of COVID-19, Cross River State Government, yesterday, stated that it has confirmed 10 new cases after tracing individuals that had contact with a Chinese who tested positive for the virus.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that the state Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, said the 10 individuals were traced and placed under movement restriction after they were found to have interacted with the index case during health officials’ contact tracing exercise.
Surveillance team had visited the workplace of the affected expatriate in Akamkpa as part of efforts to track possible exposure, she explained.
“We’ve restricted their movements to their homes, so that they do not spread the symptoms to other persons”, Ekpenyong said, adding that the affected contacts are being closely monitored by health authorities.
She further stated that the Chinese national is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, and is responding positively to care.
The epidemiologist used the opportunity to remind members of the public that COVID-19, which first broke out six years ago, had not been completely eradicated, urging residents to maintain hygiene practices such as regular hand sanitisation, wearing of face masks, and adherence to other public health guidelines issued by experts.
The development follows an earlier confirmation by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, who announced that the government had activated all public health systems to contain the situation and prevent further spread.
Ayuk explained that the index case involved a 53-year-old Chinese national who arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms while in Akamkpa. He noted that the patient’s condition worsened while receiving treatment at a facility under the state health ministry before he was transferred to UCTH for advanced care.
“At the facility, samples were taken in line with established protocols, and it was confirmed that the patient showed symptoms of COVID-19″, the Commissioner said, adding that he was pleased the patient was now responding to treatment.
“We are, however, happy to report that he is doing well”, Ayuk stated.
The Commissioner further stressed that the Ministry of Health had been strengthened under the current administration to effectively respond to disease outbreaks and epidemics, noting that surveillance systems remain active across the state.
He added that while there have been occasional silent infections and confirmed cases, the government remains fully prepared to manage any public health threat.
“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”, he said.
Ayuk also emphasised that COVID-19 remains a global concern, warning that infected individuals could move across borders and spread the virus if precautions are not maintained.
“COVID-19 is not peculiar to Nigeria. But we’re determined to contain it. There’s no cause for alarm”, he added.
Health authorities have since reiterated that all identified contacts remain under observation, while reassurances continue that the situation is under control and being actively managed.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, is working closely with authorities in Cross River following the confirmation of a COVID-19 case.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja that the agency had activated response mechanisms to contain the situation.
The Cross River Ministry of Health confirmed a case involving a 53-year-old foreign national who developed symptoms weeks after arriving in Nigeria and later tested positive at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, said that the patient had been admitted and responding to treatment, while samples had been analysed to guide further clinical management.
“The NCDC, in collaboration with the state government and partners, have intensified contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control measures.
“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission”, he said.
He added that the detection of the case demonstrated that Nigeria’s surveillance and response systems remained functional and responsive.
He advised members of the public to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home and seek care when unwell, and follow updates from official public health authorities.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to monitoring the situation and providing updates as necessary, noting that emergency response teams had been deployed to support containment efforts.
Idris also urged residents to remain calm, be vigilant and adhere to preventive measures, including regular handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and prompt reporting of symptoms.
NAN reports that Nigeria recorded its first case of COVID-19 in February 2020, triggering a nationwide public health response coordinated by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.
At the height of the pandemic, multiple waves driven by variants such as Delta and Omicron strained the health system which led to the establishment of isolation centres and emergency operations nationwide.
Although reported cases have declined significantly in recent years, public health experts warn that the virus has not been eradicated and may continue to circulate at low levels globally.
Experts noted that reduced testing and reporting in many countries have made it more difficult to track transmission trends, thereby increasing the risk of undetected outbreaks.
Experts, therefore, emphasised the need for sustained surveillance, strengthened preparedness, and rapid response capacity to manage sporadic cases and prevent wider transmission.
Meanwhile, as of April 13, 2024, the Worldometer Coronavirus Tracker is no longer being updated due to challenges in obtaining statistically valid global totals, as many countries have stopped routine reporting.
According to historical data from the platform, Nigeria recorded 267,188 confirmed cases, 3,155 deaths, and 259,953 recoveries.