DOH: New Year revelry injuries go up to 891

The number of injuries from this year's New Year revelry climbed to 891 as of Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) said. In its Monday update, the DOH said the figure was 17 cases (or two percent) higher than the previous five-year (2005-2009) average. However, the number of injured was 137 cases (or 13 percent) lower than in the previous year. "Out of the 17 regions, (Metro Manila) reported majority of the (55%) cases. Eight hundred and forty-four (95%) were due to fireworks, 36 (4%) to stray-bullets and eleven (1%) to fireworks," the DOH said. At least 844 fireworks-related cases were reported, with the victims' ages ranging from 1 to 80 years old. The 1-10 age group was the most affected with 282 cases (or 33 percent of the total number of cases). Some 656 cases (or 78 percent) of the victims were male while 494 (or 59 percent) were active users. Of the active users 18 years old and above, 72 (or 34 percent) were drunk at the time of the accident. The DOH also said 660 persons (or 78 percent) had burns without amputation while 55 persons (or 7 percent) needed amputation and 129 persons (or 15 percent) sustained eye injuries. At least 433 (or 51 percent) of the injuries were due to illegal fireworks, of which 240 (or 28 percent) were due to piccolo. Some 536 (64 percent) of the injuries occurred in streets. Stray bullets At least 36 stray bullet injuries were reported, with the victims' ages ranging from 6 to 79 years old. At least 23 of the victims (or 64 percent) were male. Around 47 percent of the injuries occurred at home. At least 11 cases of fireworks ingestion were reported, four of which were due to piccolo. – VVP, GMANews.TV