CITY OF SAN FERNANDO A total of 211 firecracker-related injuries were recorded in the country from December 21 to January 2, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The number is 16 percent higher compared to the 122 cases logged in the country in the same period last year.

DOH said 74 injuries caused by use of fireworks were reported by 61 sentinel hospitals in the country on January 1 to January 2 alone.

The leading cause of injury is use of kwitis, with 45 cases, followed by boga — classified as an illegal firework — with 27, 5-star with 19, fountain with 12, while 12 cases had unknown causes.

Meanwhile, from the total 211 cases, Central Luzon logged 20 fireworks-related injuries in the same period.

They were brought to Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.