- The Cross River State Government has dismissed a national daily’s report alleging 10 new symptomatic COVID-19 cases, labeling the claim as inaccurate and misleading to the public.
- Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, clarified that as of April 23, 2026, there is only one confirmed case in the state, a Chinese national who is currently responding well to treatment.
- The 10 individuals mentioned in recent reports are identified as non-symptomatic contacts of the single confirmed case who are under home isolation for monitoring purposes.
The Cross River State Ministry of Health has moved to douse growing concerns over a potential resurgence of COVID-19 within its borders.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in an official statement released in Calabar on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, addressed a recent publication that claimed the state had recorded a spike in symptomatic infections.
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Ayuk maintained that the state remains vigilant but has not identified any new confirmed or suspected cases beyond the single patient previously announced.
The Commissioner explained that the confusion likely stemmed from standard public health procedures.
He noted that the 10 persons referenced by the media are actually “contacts” traced from the state’s sole patient.
These individuals are currently being monitored daily by health officials while in home isolation.
Dr. Ayuk emphasized that these contacts do not meet the clinical criteria for suspected cases as they have not shown any symptoms, and their isolation is purely a precautionary step to prevent any possible community spread.
While urging residents to remain calm and disregard “alarmist” reports, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in public health communication.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare continues to oversee daily monitoring of the isolated contacts and is prepared to provide timely updates to the public should the situation change.
Residents are encouraged to continue adhering to recommended safety protocols and to rely solely on official government channels for health-related information to avoid unnecessary panic.
