Cross River health officials say reports of 10 new COVID-19 cases are false.
Cross River State authorities have denied reports claiming 10 new COVID-19 infections, stating that only one confirmed case has been recorded in the state.
The clarification was made by Health Commissioner Henry Ayuk during an interview on Channels Television.
Ayuk said the confusion likely came from reports that 10 people had been identified as close contacts of the infected patient. He stressed that these individuals are being monitored, but they are not confirmed cases.
According to officials, the only confirmed patient is a Chinese national who arrived in Nigeria from China on March 17 and later traveled to Calabar for work. He reportedly developed symptoms and tested positive on April 17.
The commissioner said the patient is receiving treatment at an isolation centre in Calabar and is improving daily.
Health authorities have begun contact tracing and placed people who had close contact with him under observation for 14 days.
Ayuk added that the state has reactivated its emergency response system, including surveillance teams and risk management structures, to prevent any possible spread.
The development comes years after the peak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which caused millions of deaths and major disruptions worldwide.
Cross River officials say there is no cause for panic, but residents should remain alert and follow public health guidance.