The Cross River State government,says it is now COVID 19 free following the successful treatment and discharge of the state’s only confirmed case.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed that on May 1, 2026, the index and only patient was discharged in excellent health, with a negative COVID-19 19 test result.
In a statement made available to journalists in Calabar, on Tuesday, Ayuk added that the state has again recorded a major public health milestone.
He said that the lone case was confirmed on April 16, 2026, by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre.
According to him, the state government swiftly activated its public health emergency response mechanisms, including the emergency operations centre, to contain the situation and prevent further spread.
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Dr. Ayuk explained that the response, carried out in close collaboration with key partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NCDC, involved comprehensive contact tracing, line-listing of exposed persons, clinical monitoring, as well as sample collection and testing.
He noted that all identified contacts were closely followed up, and none developed symptoms or tested positive for the virus.
The commissioner assured residents that the state public health department and the emergency operations centre remain on high alert to promptly detect and respond to any disease of public health concern.
He expressed appreciation to development partners and institutions that supported the response effort, including UCTH, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), NCDC, WHO, UNICEF, and others.
Dr. Ayuk also commended Governor Bassey Otu for providing the necessary political will and resources that ensured the effective management of the case.
