Fireworks injuries rise to 261, 1 stray bullet incident recorded—DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of fireworks injuries increased to 261, while one was wounded due to a stray bullet.
Fifty-one new cases of fireworks-related injuries were reported by sentinel hospitals, the DOH said in its latest report on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The total figure was 42 percent higher as compared during the same period in 2021 with only 185 cases.
Metro Manila logged the most number of fireworks-related injuries at 125.
It was followed by Western Visayas with 31, Ilocos Region with 23, Central Luzon with 22, Calabarzon with 13, and Bicol Region with 12.
Cagayan Valley recorded eight cases, Central Visayas with seven, Soccsksargen with six, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with four, and Mimaropa with three. Two cases each were recorded in Northern Mindanao and Davao Region, and one each in Eastern Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula.
"Seventy-five cases sustained eye injuries and 16 cases had blast/burn injuries with amputation. One hundred thirty-three of the cases were actively involved. One hundred forty-five cases occurred in the street, while 107 occurred at home. Forty-five cases were allegedly intoxicated with alcohol at the time of injury," the DOH said.
"Twenty-six cases were hospitalized while two cases were referred to other hospitals for further management. No death was reported," it added.
The most common cause of these injuries was kwitis. It was followed by boga, five-star, and fountain.
Stray bullet
Meanwhile, the stray bullet incident was recorded in Metro Manila, the DOH said.
"The incident happened on Jan. 1, 2023 around 3:22 a.m. when a 64-year-old female from the City of Manila, was allegedly hit by a stray bullet while she was walking on her way to her brother-in-law's place of residence," the DOH said.
"The case was immediately rushed to UP-Philippine General Hospital for assessment and medical management. On January 2, 2023, the DOH received a report from PNP (Philippine National Police) validating the case as a stray bullet injury," it added.