CEBU CITY—The number of firecracker-related injuries in Central Visayas has dropped by more than 100 percent from 2019 figures.
In a report released to media in the afternoon of Friday (Jan. 1), the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas said it recorded 17 firecracker-related injuries in the region from Dec. 16, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021.
The health department said firecracker-related injuries during the period was 111 percent lower than in 2019 with 38 cases.
No deaths were reported.
In Santa Catalina town, Negros Oriental province, however, an 11-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet.
The boy, who was hit in the abdomen, has been admitted at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.
Most of firecracker-related injuries in the region was recorded in Lapu-Lapu City with six cases.
Cebu City has three cases while Cebu province has two. Mandaue City, on the other hand, recorded two firecracker injuries.
Bohol recorded three injuries while Negros Oriental has one firecracker-related injury. Siquijor has zero firecracker-related injuries.
The DOH regional office report showed that most of the injuries were caused by two types of firecrackers, which are considered illegal—piccolo and candy bomb.
More than half of the injuries were inflicted on streets while a little over 20 percent occurred inside homes.
Residents defied government advisories and welcome the New Year with firecrackers and fireworks, although cases of injuries were far fewer than those in 2019.