Nigeria has recorded a fresh case of COVID-19, with the latest infection confirmed in Cross River State, prompting renewed public health measures in the state.
The Cross River State Ministry of Health said it has commenced profiling and contact tracing of individuals linked to a Chinese national who tested positive for the virus after being admitted in the state. The Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Calabar, describing the case as the state’s first significant infection since 2022.
Ayuk explained that the patient, who arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, is believed to have contracted the virus within the country after exceeding the 14-day incubation period, with symptoms appearing on April 10. He assured residents that authorities are taking swift steps to contain the situation, including deploying health workers to communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area, where the patient lived and worked.
While urging residents to remain vigilant, the commissioner advised that people could continue their normal activities while adhering to safety precautions, stressing that the state has the capacity to manage and prevent further spread.
Also speaking, the Cross River State coordinator of the World Health Organization, Yewande Olatunde, cautioned that the virus has not been eradicated globally and continues to evolve into new strains. She called on Nigerians to remain health-conscious and comply with established public health guidelines.
The resurgence comes years after the pandemic, which began in 2019, led to millions of deaths worldwide. In Nigeria, data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control indicates that about 3,000 lives were lost to the disease before vaccines and preventive measures helped ease its impact.
