There’s no record of COVID-19 case in Cross River ― Health Commissioner, Dr Edu Insist

…We have commenced an investigation into the “index case”

…only PCR can confirm COVID-19 case, not antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits

Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State commissioner for Health

By Ike Uchechukwu – Calabar

The Cross River state government Thursday night debunked reports that a positive case of COVID-19 has been recorded in the Calabar, the state Capital.

The rebuttal was contained in a release signed by Dr Beta Edu , Commissioner for health & head of COVID-19 taskforce team in the state.

The statement read: “The attention of the Cross River State Government has been drawn to an internal memo signed by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Professor Ikpeme stating that it had one positive test result.

“It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and therefore should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis as it may produce several false-positive cases.

“As a state government we have commenced investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings.

“All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 Positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology.