The lawmaker representing Obudu constituency at the Cross River state house of assembly, Godwin Akwaji, has died after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

He was said to have died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) isolation centre around 12:30 pm on Thursday.

Akwaji, who was said to be diabetic, also exhibited fatigue, fever, cough, breathlessness.

A family source disclosed that the deceased had been treated for malaria and pneumonia with no improvement adding that some persons who visited the lawmaker at the hospital are already showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Cross River is the only state where any case of COVID-19 has not been confirmed in the country.

But the Cross River State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association claims COVID-19 has been killing people in the state despite Governor Ben Ayade’s insistence the state is free of the killer disease.

The group decried “the rising number of deaths from suspected cases in the state”, calling for action.

It also called for caution in allowing resumption of worship services.