Chinese quarantined for COVID in C/River

Six years after the global shutdown, concerns over COVID-19 resurfaced in Cross River State on Tuesday after a Chinese national showing symptoms of the virus was isolated at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. For many Nigerians, the development is more than a routine public health update; it recalls a period when daily life was […]

Six years after the global shutdown, concerns over COVID-19 resurfaced in Cross River State on Tuesday after a Chinese national showing symptoms of the virus was isolated at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

For many Nigerians, the development is more than a routine public health update; it recalls a period when daily life was disrupted, cities fell silent, and uncertainty prevailed.

The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, confirmed that the patient had been isolated, with containment protocols immediately activated. He said the individual arrived in Nigeria through Lagos on March 17, before travelling to Calabar the same day.

What followed was a familiar sequence: detection at a local clinic, referral to a specialised facility, and the rapid mobilisation of public health systems.

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“Upon the discovery, we immediately activated all public health procedures, regulations and machinery to contain the outbreak and ensure that more persons are not infected, including contact tracing and isolating the case,” Ayuk said, adding that the process is being carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Health authorities, including representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said the symptoms align with COVID-19, a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

 

NCDC moves to contain case, urges vigilance

At the national level, the NCDC has acknowledged the development and said it is working with Cross River authorities to assess and manage the situation.

In a statement, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the patient is in stable condition and responding to care.

“Following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with NCDC and with support from partners, has activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control.

“All identified contacts are being followed up appropriately, and there is no evidence at this time of widespread transmission.

“We continue to maintain routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. The detection of this case reflects that these systems remain functional and responsive,” he said.

He advised the public to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home and seek care when unwell, and follow updates from official public health authorities.

The agency said it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

 

COVID-19 never completely disappeared – Experts

Meanwhile, public health experts said the situation calls for vigilance, not panic.

An infectious disease specialist, Dr Justina Oloruntoba, said isolated cases are not unexpected in a post-pandemic world.

“COVID-19 never completely disappeared. What we are seeing now are sporadic cases that require prompt containment. The key difference from 2020 is that we now understand the virus better and have systems in place to manage it,” she said.

She stressed that early detection and isolation remain the most effective tools in preventing wider transmission.

Similarly, a public health physician, Dr Offor Adaeze, said Nigeria’s response capacity has improved significantly since the pandemic, but warned against complacency.

“The danger now is not lack of knowledge, but fatigue. People are less likely to adhere to preventive measures. We must reinforce basic practices such as hand hygiene and staying home when symptomatic,” she said.

She added that clear communication would be critical in maintaining public trust and preventing misinformation.

Also, a virologist, Dr Adams Michael, highlighted the importance of surveillance and rapid response systems.

“Viruses evolve, and international travel means importation of cases is always possible. What matters is how quickly health authorities can identify, isolate and monitor contacts. From what we are seeing, those mechanisms have been activated promptly,” he said.

 

States step up preparedness

In Niger State, Commissioner for Health Dr Murtala Bagana said facilities and personnel are ready, while sensitisation efforts have been intensified, starting with health workers.

He also disclosed that state commissioners for health would hold an emergency meeting in Abuja to review the situation.

In Kano, officials said isolation centres used during the last pandemic can be reactivated at short notice.

The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Nabilusi Kofara Na’isa, told Daily Trust that the state has put in place necessary measures to contain any outbreak.

On the status of isolation centres, he said most are temporary facilities that can be reactivated whenever needed.

Benue State has also maintained what it described as “fully active” surveillance systems.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, assured residents that measures are in place to safeguard public health.

“Our surveillance systems are fully active, and we will continue to monitor developments closely in collaboration with relevant national health authorities,” he said.

“The state has sustained critical infrastructure, trained personnel, and responsive systems that position us to act swiftly when necessary.

“Isolation centres are maintained in a state of readiness and can be activated promptly when required.”

Also, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Asema Msuega, said an additional isolation centre had earlier been activated at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, to complement the one at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

“We are always prepared for public health emergencies. Currently, we are responding to a Lassa fever outbreak, so our isolation centres are ready and functional, and staff capacity is in place,” she said.

Echoes of 2020

To understand why a single suspected case has drawn national attention, it is necessary to recall 2020, the year Nigeria, like much of the world, shut down.

When COVID-19 first arrived in Nigeria in February 2020, it began with a single imported case but quickly escalated into clusters. By March, the federal government had imposed sweeping restrictions: international flights were suspended, schools shut, and major cities including Lagos, Abuja and Ogun entered lockdown.

For millions of Nigerians, life changed overnight.

Roads, once gridlocked, became deserted. Markets operated under strict controls or shut down entirely, while religious gatherings were suspended. The informal sector, which sustains a large portion of the population, was hit hardest as daily earners lost their livelihoods.

The crisis also exposed systemic vulnerabilities. Healthcare infrastructure was stretched, palliative distribution sparked controversy, and compliance with public health measures varied. Yet it was also a period of rapid adaptation.

Isolation centres were established, testing capacity expanded, and awareness of hygiene practices increased. Face masks became commonplace, while hand sanitisers appeared at the entrances of homes, offices and shops. Terms such as “social distancing” and “contact tracing” entered everyday language.

Today, the response to the Cross River case reflects those lessons.

Unlike in 2020, when systems were still evolving, authorities now emphasise readiness. Across states, officials have moved quickly to reassure residents that infrastructure and protocols remain in place.

Experts continue to stress that COVID-19 remains in circulation. While vaccination has reduced severe outcomes and global attention has waned, the virus has not disappeared.

Symptoms still range from mild to severe, including fever, cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing. Preventive measures like hand hygiene, mask use in high-risk settings, and vaccination remain critical.

Dr Michael added, “We should not wait for a surge before acting. Prevention is always cheaper and more effective than managing an outbreak.”

Dr Ayuk urged calm, assuring residents that the situation is under control.

“There is no cause for alarm or agitation,” he said.