By John Umeh
The government of Cross River State has dismissed circulating reports suggesting a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections, insisting that the claims are inaccurate and have caused unnecessary alarm among residents.
The clarification follows a media report alleging that 10 new individuals in the state were showing symptoms of the virus, sparking fears of a possible resurgence. However, state officials have firmly countered the narrative, stating that no such development has occurred.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, the state currently has only one confirmed COVID-19 case—a foreign national who is receiving treatment and responding positively.
Ayuk explained that the individuals mentioned in the report are merely contacts traced from the confirmed case, not infected persons. He stressed that contact tracing is a routine and necessary public health measure used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
“These individuals are not showing symptoms and do not qualify as suspected cases,” he clarified, adding that they are under home observation purely as a precaution and are being monitored closely by health authorities.
The commissioner emphasized that their isolation should not be misconstrued as evidence of new infections, reiterating that no additional cases have been confirmed as of April 23, 2026.
He urged residents to remain calm and disregard unverified information, advising the public to rely solely on official updates from the state’s health authorities.
The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and proactive communication, assuring citizens that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard public health and prevent any potential spread of the virus.
