Cross River State confirms new COVID-19 case involving Chinese Lafarge worker in Akamkpa

Health officials in Cross River confirm a 53-year-old Chinese worker has COVID-19. Contact tracing is underway in Akamkpa following the first case since 2022.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 10:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Activation of Emergency Response Protocols

Cross River State health authorities have officially confirmed a new case of COVID-19, marking a return of the virus to the region after a four year absence. Dr. Henry Ayuk, the State Commissioner for Health, announced the development during a Tuesday press briefing in Calabar, stating that the patient is a 53 year old Chinese national. In response to the diagnosis, the state emergency response unit has been fully activated to monitor the situation and prevent further transmission within the local population.

Clinical Timeline and Hospitalization

The patient, an employee at the Lafarge facility in Akamkpa Local Government Area, originally arrived in Nigeria on March 17. His condition reportedly deteriorated while at his office's medical facility, necessitating a transfer to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. After following established protocols and testing samples, medical officials confirmed the presence of COVID-19. Commissioner Ayuk noted that while the case was serious enough to require specialized care, the patient is currently responding well to treatment.

Epidemiological Concerns Regarding Local Transmission

State Epidemiologist Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong raised concerns that the virus may have been contracted locally within Nigeria. She pointed out that while the patient arrived from China in mid March, he did not begin exhibiting symptoms until April 10. Since this 24 day interval significantly exceeds the standard 14 day incubation period for COVID-19, health officials believe the infection occurred well after his arrival in the country. This finding has intensified the urgency of identifying local sources of exposure.