South South state, Cross River is currently on the lips of many following the recent updates from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as the ongoing strike action by doctors in the state.

Nigeria had its index case of the coronavirus on February 27 and the pandemic is only now, just reaching Cross River. Nigerians are reacting to this across social media platforms:

Ahn ahn… Cross River is no longer covered by the blood? Tragic ?? https://t.co/VS169JqLla

— Inyene (@__Inyene) July 7, 2020

From the latest update shared by the NCDC late Monday, Cross River recorded five new COVID-19 cases, and this is coming after the state government’s earlier promise to do everything within their power to maintain public health safety within its borders.

Uncle @Ebuka I'm not sure with that result.
They were forcing Ayade (Governor of cross river state) to accept CRS has the corovirus. https://t.co/zgOV3u2Ofa

— Roman Prince (@official_romanp) July 7, 2020

Welcome on board cross river,you people have finally cross your river?????‍??‍

— OMOTENIOLA (@OMOTENI69595281) July 7, 2020

Welcome on board cross river,you people have finally cross your river?????‍??‍

— OMOTENIOLA (@OMOTENI69595281) July 7, 2020

While many stressed that the virus has found its way to the state, they also pointed out that a doctors’ strike at this time was not ideal for the state. The state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) before embarking on the strike, had accused the NCDC of dishonesty in their updates about the state. They noted that positive cases were recorded at a government-run hospital in Calabar last week but was yet to be reported.

“The association demands explanation from NCDC, why the five COVID-19 confirmed cases from UCTH (teaching hospital) carried out at the NCDC accredited Molecular Laboratory…have not reflected in the daily situation report of NCDC,” since July 1, a statement from the association read.

Cross River doctors embark on strike over coronavirus test results https://t.co/wjWbzebSzr

— Iyke ogbonna (@Iykeogbonna16) July 7, 2020

To be Frank with you I don't like how Cross River State have join the NCDC list ?

— Plato (@BasseyItuneJ) July 7, 2020

Funny enough, yesterday on Channels tv, the Crossriver commissioner for health still insisted that the state was COVID 19 free and she wasn’t manipulating the figures because samples are sent to Ebonyi for test.

— Bowale (@Son_of_a_O) July 7, 2020

These latest update on the state has created a conversation for Cross River people who are pointing out that the update should be taken seriously even as some insist that some aspects of the updates are not being made clear to the public.