DOH: 3 more hurt in firecracker blasts

MANILA, Philippines — Three more persons were injured by firecracker blasts, with two of them sustaining serious eyes injuries, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.            

Based on the report prepared by the DOH- Epidemiology Bureau, the oldest victim is a 60-year-old individual.  

The three new cases bring to 10 the number of cases since Dec. 21 when the bureau started its surveillance of fireworks-related injuries.

The DOH said the 10 cases are still lower than in  the same period in 2018.

“The 10 cases were injured due to fireworks. No stray bullet or fireworks ingestion reported,” the agency noted.

The report showed that two of the cases were in Region 1 and Calabarzon while one was from Metro Manila.

According to Health  Secretary Francisco Duque III, the DOH was aiming for “zero casualty” this New Year revelry, “but obviously this will not happen since we already have cases.”

Duque added they are hoping that this year’s cases would not exceed the number of injuries during last year’s celebration.

DOH data show that from Dec. 21, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019, there were 338 cases of firecracker-related injuries documented, 34 percent lower than the 550 cases recorded in the same period in 2017.