30 firecracker injuries logged ahead of New Year festivitiesMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health on Friday reported 30 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the past week as Filipinos prepare to usher in 2022 after another year of battling the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the DOH, over a third of the cases occurred in Western Visayas. But the figure was 66% lower than the five-year average of 89 cases during the same time period. “There was no fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death reported this year,” the DOH said, adding 83% of the firecracker-related injuries were caused by illegal fireworks such as Boga. The Philippines ended the year with 2,961 new infections, bringing the number of active cases to 14,233.

Source: Philippine Star December 31, 2021 15:59 UTC