A brand new case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Nigeria, with the case recorded in Cross River State.
The State Commissioner for Well being, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday throughout a press briefing in Calabar.
He mentioned the affected person is a 53-year-old Chinese language nationwide who works with Lafarge and arrived Nigeria on March 17 earlier than falling unwell.
Dr Ayuk defined that the affected person’s situation worsened at a medical facility underneath his workplace earlier than he was transferred to the College of Calabar Instructing Hospital (UCTH), the place samples had been taken and normal protocols had been noticed. The case was later confirmed as COVID-19.
“We’re, nevertheless, blissful to report that he’s doing effectively,” the commissioner mentioned.
He added that the state Ministry of Well being has been strengthened to reply successfully to illness outbreaks, noting that surveillance and containment measures are in place.
“Sadly, there have been silent infections and clear circumstances now and again. However we’re decided that for each ailment, each illness or outbreak, whether it is recognized right here within the state, there must be no alarm,” he mentioned.
“The state will do effectively by way of surveillance or containment of an outbreak. No matter it’s, we’ll do our greatest to include it. So, there isn’t a alarm.”
He additionally confirmed that correct protocols had been adopted earlier than the analysis was made.
“The protocols have been adopted and confirmed {that a} 53-year-old Chinese language who work in Akamkpa Native Authorities Space of the state has COVID-19,” he added.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, mentioned the emergency response unit has been activated, with contact tracing and itemizing of attainable contacts already underway.
She famous that the final confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River State was in 2022, and prompt the chance that the an infection might have been contracted inside Nigeria.
“The incubation interval for this virus is often between two to 14 days, however the Chinese language flew into Nigeria from China on March 17 and began creating the signs on April 10.
“That is effectively past the 14 days incubation interval. Like I mentioned, we’re doing the road itemizing of these he might have are available in contact with, as a part of our containment efforts.
“We’ve additionally activated the emergency response middle and deployed fast response groups to Akamkpa, the place the sufferer works.
“There is no such thing as a manner we will cease this illness, however we will cease the illness outbreak.
“It is going to be incorrect to not include or handle it by guaranteeing that individuals don’t die,” she acknowledged.
The World Well being Organisation (WHO) Coordinator in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, additionally confirmed that the virus stays current and urged residents to take care of preventive measures.
“We should discover all preventive measures to guard ourselves,” she mentioned.