By Kingsley Agim
The Cross River State Government has declared that the recent COVID-19 case recorded in the state is under control, urging residents and visitors to remain calm.
Speaking during a media briefing in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm, noting that the government has activated all necessary measures to contain the situation.
He explained that the case, reported three days earlier, was confirmed after due medical protocols were followed. According to him, the patient, a foreign national who arrived in the state in March, developed symptoms weeks later and is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
“Cross River is safe from the standpoint of our risk management. There is no cause for alarm,” the Commissioner said.
He added, “We are doing very well in surveillance and working around the clock to ensure that this case is fully contained without any spread to the wider community.”
Dr Ayuk further emphasised the government’s preparedness, stating, “While we cannot completely prevent disease outbreaks, we will always do everything within our capacity to contain them and ensure that no lives are lost.”
He also stressed the role of public awareness, noting that, “The era of people dying from preventable disease outbreaks in this state is gone, but this depends largely on collective responsibility, especially the role of the media in educating the public.”
Also speaking, the WHO Representative, Dr Rebecca Olatunde Yewande, affirmed that the situation is being effectively managed, noting that surveillance has been intensified in the affected local government area. She added that all necessary public health emergency response measures have been activated to prevent further spread.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, reminded the public that COVID-19 has not been completely eradicated, urging residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, use of face masks when symptomatic, and prompt reporting of symptoms to health facilities.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Jonah Offor, acknowledged the support of the World Health Organization in managing the situation, noting that the activation of response systems reflects the state’s preparedness.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, called for collective vigilance, emphasising the role of the media and the public in ensuring early detection and timely reporting of suspected cases.
