THE Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first fatality due to firecrackers, which involved a 38-year-old male from the Ilocos Region.
The DOH said the victim lit a cigarette while he was near firecrackers and was having a drinking session with other individuals.
The DOH also reported a total of 443 individuals who were victims of firework-related injuries (FWRI) and stray bullets, including 212 others, during the start of the year.
In its latest surveillance report, the DOH said that of the 212 cases, 206 injuries happened at home and at the streets, and almost half of those injured or about 102 cases were due to legal fireworks wherein 94 actively participated.
The DOH also reported a 23-year-old individual from Davao Region who was a first case of stray bullet-related injury. The victim reportedly suffered from a bullet wound at the left side of the back.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported incidents of two individuals who died due to firecrackers and a stray bullet after the New Year festivities. The new cases of FWRI were aged one to 71 and majority of cases involved males, which is now at 166 cases.
There were also six new cases of amputation, which brought the total to 17 cases.
Meanwhile, there were 122 individuals who suffered eye injuries, and one patient was left blind. There was another patient who suffered permanent loss of hearing, which brings the total to two.
According to the health department, they have yet to receive new reports of ingestion.
Ayon pa sa DOH,sa ngayon ay wala pang naitatalang panibagong kaso ng ingestion.
Out of the total 443 FWRI, 441 were reported from December 21 up to January 2, one because of ingestion of “Watusi” and one because of a stray bullet.
The region with the most of number of cases are from the National Capital Region with 254 cases, followed by the Ilocos Region with 36, Cagayan Valley with 35, and Calabarzon with 29 cases.
Around 97 percent of damage due to firecrackers happened in the streets, majority are males as active participants.
Also, among the firecrackers that brought seven out of 10 in terms of damage were Kwitis, Five Star, Boga, Pla-Pla, Whistle Bomb, Fountain, Lusis, Piccolo and Triangle.