Nigeria has recorded a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State, prompting health authorities to activate emergency response measures.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, said the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national who developed symptoms on April 10, after arriving in the country on March 17. He further noted that the patient is in stable condition and receiving treatment.
“So, we have a positive case, a Chinese who flew into the country exactly a month ago, and he works with Lafarge here in Akamkpa, local government, …the man, about 53 years or so, had symptoms that were treated silently, but the symptoms became a full-blown disease.
“He was taken to the teaching hospital, from there a sample was collected and was confirmed…So today, the case is still being managed at our centre, which is dedicated to the State, and he is doing well in terms of clinical improvement.”
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According to a press statement issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on April 21, emergency response measures have been activated, including “contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control.”
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in the State, Yewande Olatunde, has urged residents to continue observing preventive measures, noting that COVID-19 remains in circulation.
Authorities advise members of the public to “maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home and seek care if unwell, and follow updates from official public health authorities.”
By: Nusrat Essah
