DOH records 6 more fireworks-related injuries, total now at 173

The Philippines logged six additional firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total to 173, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday.

The DOH said the current caseload as of 6 a.m. is 41% higher compared to the 123 cases on the same day within its December 2020 to January 2021 timeframe.

These injuries were, however, 58% lower compared to the five-year average of 410 cases during the same day.

The DOH added that of the 173 cases, 67 or 39% were from Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, 27 were from Region I; 24 from Region VI; 13 from Region III; seven each from Calabarzon and Region V; six each from Region VII and BARMM; five each from Region II and Region XII, three from CAR; two from Region XI; and one from Region IX.

Of these cases, 125  were males, and 80 were active firecracker users.

In addition, 18 cases were blast or burn injuries requiring amputation while 114 cases did not require amputation.

Five cases also sustained multiple types of injuries.

57 cases were hand injuries, 45 were eye injuries, 24 were head injuries, 20 were forearm or arm injuries, and 19 were leg injuries.

DOH said that most of these firecracker-related accidents occurred at home.

The top five firecracker types involved were kwitis which had 39 cases, boga with 15 cases, luces with 13 cases, 5-star with 12 cases, while 26 cases involved unknown fireworks.

It is also indicated that boga and 5-star are prohibited types of firecrackers thus 51% of the cases were due to legal fireworks.

There were no reports of firework ingestions.

Stray bullet incidents

Further, the DOH reported one stray bullet injury on Friday, New Year’s Eve, as validated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The incident was said to have happened at 10:15 p.m., involving a 23-year-old male from Muntinlupa City.

The victim was allegedly hit by a stray bullet while taking photographs in the street with his friends.

He was initially treated at home and was brought to Muntinlupa Medical Center, and later on, was referred to the Philippine General Hospital where he underwent surgery.

The victim is now currently recovering, the DOH said. — RSJ, GMA News