COVID-19: Cross River state reacts to leaked memo
…Says Index Covid-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR
Oru Leonard
The Cross River State Government has reacted to a recent internal memo of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital which leaked to the media.
In a press release by Dr Betta Edu, the Honourable Commissioner for Health of the state stated, “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.”
She said 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. For now Cross River State has no Recorded case of COVID-19!
“We use this opportunity to further call on the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to as a matter of urgency, support Cross River state in the fight against COVID-19”, she further stated.
The statement urged all Cross Riverians to remain calm and not panic, but simply step up efforts in adhering to all safety procedures in the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.
