‘Only one case confirmed,’ Cross River debunks COVID-19 spread

The Cross River State Government has dismissed as misleading a report by a media outlet claiming that 10 additional persons in the state are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, clarifying that only one confirmed case has been recorded.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, said the publication, which suggested a rise in suspected cases, did not accurately reflect the current public health situation.

According to the Commissioner, as earlier communicated during a press briefing held in Calabar on April 21, 2026, the state still has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, with no new infections recorded.

He explained that the individuals referenced in the report are merely contacts of the confirmed case, identified through routine contact tracing. He stressed that they are neither confirmed nor suspected cases, as none is currently showing symptoms associated with the virus.

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“For clarity, contacts are individuals who have had close interaction with a confirmed case, while suspected cases are those exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

“Confirmed cases, on the other hand, are individuals who have tested positive through laboratory diagnosis,” Ayuk stated.

He added that the identified contacts have been placed under home isolation and are being monitored daily by health officials as part of standard preventive protocols.

The government therefore urged the public to disregard the report, describing it as inaccurate and capable of causing unnecessary alarm.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, the Ministry of Health assured residents that any changes in the state’s COVID-19 status would be promptly communicated through official channels.

Residents were also advised to continue observing basic preventive measures while remaining calm, as there is no cause for panic.