DOH: Firecracker injuries hit 307 as 19 more cases reported

MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Health (DOH) reported 19 more firecracker-related injuries, bringing the total of reported cases to 307 from Dec. 21 to Jan. 4.

In its Fireworks-Related Injury (FWRI) Surveillance report released Friday morning, DOH noted that the reported figure is 40 percent lower as compared to the same period last year and and 64 percent lower than the five-year average.

Of the 19 new cases, eight were reported in Region I, three in Regions VI and IV-A, two in the National Capital Region and one each cases in Regions III, XI and XII.

The Health department said 68 were hurt by “kwitis”, 35 from “luces,” 20 by “Piccolo,” 19 by “boga’ and 16 by “5-Star.”

Of the victims, 248 were male. Those affected were between the ages of 2 to 76, with a median age of 16.

The DOH added that 305 of the victims were hurt by firecrackers while two cases were due to “fireworks ingestion.”  /muf