MANILA, Philippines — There was no death reported on Wednesday based on the Fireworks-Related Injury (FWRI) Surveillance from 21 December 2019 to 6 January 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also said there’s no reported case of tetanus due to fireworks-related injuries.

Duque said injuries were observed to peak on December 26 and 27, then December 29 to January 1, and finally on January 5.

Duque also said the  National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions VI and I had the most number of cases.

The FWRI Surveillance report revealed a total of 413 cases of FWRIs in 2019 were 411 injuries were due to fireworks, one firework ingestion, and one stray bullet injury case.

The majority (74%) of the cases are males, while the ages of the cases ranged from 11 months to 77 years.

“The surveillance also showed an increase in cases in Cagayan Valley region (138%), NCR (62%), Bicol region (56%), CALABARZON (43%), Region III (25%), and CAR,” Duque said.

While the total number of injuries in 2019 is 41% lower compared to the five-year average (2014-2018) of 703 cases, the reported injuries in 2019 are 21% higher compared to 341 cases reported in 2018.

“We are glad that no fireworks-related fatalities were reported this year. However, I continue to urge communities and local government units to further strengthen our campaign for safer and healthier ways to celebrate the holidays,” said Duque. (Stacy Ang/JGo/CurrentPH.com)