• Senate to probe development
The Cross River State Government has debunked an online report titled: ‘Cross River Identifies 10 more persons with COVID symptoms’.
 
In a statement in Calabar yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, described the report as misleading, stressing that it does not accurately reflect the current public health situation in the state.
 
He said, for the avoidance of doubt, that Cross River State currently has only one confirmed case of COVID-19, as clearly communicated during the press briefing held in Calabar on April 21, 2026, adding that there are no additional confirmed cases in the state as of today.
 
The Commissioner said the 10 individuals referenced in the report are contacts of the confirmed case, identified through routine and proactive contact tracing. They are not confirmed cases, nor are they classified as suspected cases, as none of them is currently exhibiting symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
 
He explained that contacts are individuals who have had close contact with a confirmed case, suspected cases are individuals who show symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and confirmed cases are individuals who have tested positive through laboratory diagnosis.
 
“In line with established public health protocols, these contacts have been placed under home (house) isolation and are being monitored daily by health officials for any development of symptoms. This is a preventive measure and does not indicate the presence of new infections.
 
“It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that Cross River State has identified ‘10 more persons with COVID symptoms,’ as reported. No such development has been recorded,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has directed a comprehensive investigation into reports of a fresh COVID-19 case in Cross River State.
 
Akpabio issued the directive at the close of yesterday’s plenary, mandating the Senate Committee on Health to urgently examine the situation.
 
The committee, chaired by Senator Ipalibo Banigo, is expected to investigate the reported case and present its findings at the next legislative sitting.
 
Health authorities are said to be monitoring the situation closely, amid calls for heightened vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines.
 
Lawmakers said the probe would assess the public health response, the preparedness of health institutions, and measures needed to contain any potential spread.