10 contacts of COVID-19 patient identified, isolated in Cross River — State Government
The Cross River State Government says it has identified and isolated 10 people who had contact with a Chinese national recently confirmed to have COVID-19 in the state.
The state confirmed a new COVID-19 case on Tuesday involving a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria on March 17 and later developed symptoms.
Speaking with TheCable on Wednesday, Inyang Ekpenyong, the state epidemiologist, said health authorities immediately launched contact tracing after the case was confirmed.
“We were able to identify 10 contacts of the patient. We have isolated them and are closely monitoring them. None of them have developed symptoms,” she said.
Ekpenyong also said the index case is currently stable and responding to treatment.
On Tuesday, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, said response measures were activated immediately after confirmation of the case, in collaboration with state authorities and partners.
“Following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with the NCDC and with support from partners, has activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control,” Idris said.
He added that all identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, stressing that there is no evidence of widespread transmission at this time.
Idris also noted that the case underscores the continued functionality of Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems and urged the public to remain calm while adhering to basic preventive health measures.