Cross River State has announced that it is now free of COVID-19 following the successful treatment and discharge of its only confirmed case.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Monday, noting that the lone infection, confirmed on April 16, 2026 by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), was managed at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre.
According to him, the state government immediately activated its Emergency Operations Centre and worked with key partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and NCDC to carry out contact tracing, testing, monitoring, and other containment measures to prevent further spread.
He confirmed that the patient was discharged on May 1, 2026 after recovering fully and testing negative for the virus.
“I am pleased to report that Cross River State is COVID-19 free. On May 1, 2026, the index and only patient was discharged in excellent health, with a negative COVID-19 test result,” Ayuk said.
The Commissioner assured residents that surveillance and public health monitoring would remain active through the state’s Public Health Department and Emergency Operations Centre to prevent any resurgence.
He also commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu, UCTH, the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, NCDC, WHO, UNICEF, and other partners for their support in achieving the outcome.
