Four new cases of injuries related to fireworks were recorded, raising the tally to 36, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The total figure was as of Dec. 29 and was 44 percent higher than the cases recorded in the previous year with only 25 cases.

Most injuries were recorded in Western Visayas with nine cases, Bicol Region with five, and Soccsksargen with four.

Three cases each were recorded in Central Visayas and the National Capital Region. Two cases each were logged in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Davao Region. One case each was reported in Calabarzon and Cordillera Administrative Region.

"Nineteen cases sustained eye injuries while two cases had blast/burn injuries with amputation. Twenty-six cases were actively involved," the DOH said.

"Twenty-three cases occurred at home while 13 occurred in the street. Five cases were allegedly intoxicated with alcohol at the time of the injury. Four cases were hospitalized. No death was reported,” it added.

The DOH has yet to record a case of fireworks ingestion and stray bullet injury.

The top cause of fireworks-related injuries was due to use of Boga. It is followed by whistle bomb, five-star, kwitis and camara, the DOH said.

“Lahat po ng hospitals ay nagbigay tayo ng abiso para tayo po ay mas maging handa sa taong ito para dito po sa mga firecracker injuries (All the hospitals have been given instructions so that we can be better prepared this year for firecracker injuries),” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Naka-code white tayo ngayon (We are now in code white). Ibig sabihin (It means) all are instructed to prepare, all are instructed to have a special team to address the concerns of people who are going to our hospitals with injuries due to firecrackers,” she added.

‘Torotot’

Meanwhile, Vergeire advised the public to be cautious when using torotot or party horns as droplets can be transferred to another person— resulting to a possible spread of the Covid-19 virus.

“Siguraduhin po natin na hindi tayo nagpapasa-pasa at naghihiraman lalo na po ang ating mga anak dahil maaari po tayong magkaron ng paghahawahan pag ginawa natin yan (Make sure that we don't pass it around, especially for our children, because this might lead to transmission if we do that),” reminded Vergeire.

“Pangalawa, kung sakali pong gagamit tayo ng torotot, dapat po sa open space; wag po tayo dun sa mga enclosed space para po maiwasan natin ang pagkakaron ng impeksyon ng bawat isa (Secondly, if we will use a torotot, it should be in an open space. Let's not use it in enclosed spaces so that we can avoid having an infection),” she added.