Cross River State condemns news organizations for spreading false coronavirus information

The Cross River State Government has come out to refute claims made by certain media outlets, which stated that 10 additional individuals had been identified with COVID symptoms, when in fact, the state only has one confirmed case of COVID-19, according to Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, Dr. Ayuk described these reports as misleading and inaccurate, drawing attention to specific newspaper publications from April 23 that falsely presented 10 contacts of the index case as new symptomatic infections.

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Dr. Ayuk emphasized that the state's current COVID-19 status remains unchanged, with only one confirmed case, as was clearly communicated during a press briefing held in Calabar on April 21, 2026.

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The 10 individuals in question are merely contacts who are being proactively traced and are not suspected or confirmed cases, and none of them are showing symptoms, Dr. Ayuk clarified.

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To clarify the distinction, Dr. Ayuk explained that contacts refer to individuals who have had close interaction with a confirmed case, while suspected cases are those showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and confirmed cases are individuals who have tested positive through laboratory diagnosis.

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These contacts are currently in home isolation for daily monitoring as a precautionary measure, but this does not indicate new infections, Dr. Ayuk stressed.

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Dr. Ayuk deemed it inaccurate and misleading to suggest that Cross River State has identified 10 more persons with COVID symptoms, as no such development has occurred.

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The Cross River State Government remains committed to transparency and prompt communication of any changes in the COVID-19 status, and citizens are advised to disregard misleading reports and rely only on verified updates from the Ministry of Health.

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While urging residents to continue practicing basic preventive measures, Dr. Ayuk assured that there is no cause for panic.