Cross River State has been declared free of COVID-19 after successfully managing and discharging its only confirmed case in 2026. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, confirmed that the single case was detected on April 16, 2026, at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre, following confirmation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Immediate activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) enabled swift containment, with support from the NCDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and other health agencies. Comprehensive contact tracing, clinical monitoring, and sample testing were conducted for all identified contacts, none of whom developed symptoms or tested positive. On May 1, 2026, the patient was discharged with a negative test result and in excellent health, marking the end of the outbreak in the state. Dr Ayuk stated that the State Public Health Department and EOC remain on high alert to respond to any future public health threats. He acknowledged the support of institutions including UCTH, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, and other partners. Governor Bassey Edet Otu was commended for providing political leadership and resources critical to the successful response.
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