By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State Government has refuted a media report claiming that 10 new COVID-19 cases had been identified in the state.
The government described the publication as misleading and inconsistent with the current public health reality.
The state Ministry of Health, in a statement issued on Thursday, clarified that Cross River currently has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, contrary to the report which suggested a rise in infections.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, said the confusion stemmed from a misinterpretation of routine contact tracing efforts linked to the single confirmed case earlier announced by the state.
According to him, the 10 individuals referenced in the report are not confirmed or suspected cases, but contacts of the infected person who were identified as part of proactive disease surveillance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Cross River State currently has only one confirmed case of COVID-19. There are no additional confirmed cases as of today,” Ayuk stated.
He explained that none of the identified contacts is exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus, stressing that they do not fall under the category of suspected cases.
The commissioner further noted that the individuals had been placed under home isolation as a precautionary measure and are being monitored daily by health officials in line with established public health protocols.
Ayuk said, “It is inaccurate and misleading to suggest that Cross River has identified 10 more persons with COVID symptoms. No such development has been recorded.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, assuring residents that any changes in the state’s COVID-19 status would be promptly communicated through official channels.
The state government urged the public to disregard unverified reports and rely on information from the Ministry of Health, while continuing to observe basic preventive measures.
It added that there was no cause for panic, as the situation remained under control.