Cross River State Health Authorities Isolate 10 Contacts Following Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Akamkpa

Cross River State health officials isolate 10 people after a Chinese expatriate in Akamkpa tests positive for COVID-19. Authorities deny community spread.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Vanguard News

Index Case Identification and Medical Status

Health authorities in Cross River State are managing a newly confirmed case of COVID-19 involving a 53-year-old Chinese national. The patient, an expatriate employed by Lafarge in the Akamkpa Local Government Area, reportedly arrived in Nigeria on March 17 before manifesting symptoms of the virus. State Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, confirmed the development, noting that the index case is currently in stable condition. Medical teams are monitoring the patient's response to treatment, with early indications suggesting a positive recovery trajectory as the state moves to prevent further infections.

Rapid Deployment of Contact Tracing Teams

Following the confirmation, the state’s epidemiological department launched an immediate investigation to map out the patient’s recent interactions. State Epidemiologist Inyang Ekpenyong reported that swift tracing efforts successfully identified 10 individuals who had direct contact with the infected expatriate. These individuals have been placed in mandatory isolation and are undergoing rigorous daily monitoring. As of the latest update, none of the isolated contacts have exhibited symptoms, providing a preliminary buffer against an immediate local outbreak.

National Coordination and Emergency Activation

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has officially intervened to bolster the local response. Director-General Jide Idris announced that the NCDC, in coordination with the Cross River State Ministry of Health and various technical partners, has activated a full scale emergency response. This collaboration focuses on intensified surveillance, infection prevention, and control measures at the industrial site and surrounding communities. Idris emphasized that the detection of this case serves as a validation of Nigeria’s national disease surveillance system, which remains primed for early identification of viral threats.