TACLOBAN CITY – Department of Health (DOH) in Region 8 said that there was an increase of 17% in firecracker-related injuries recorded in the whole region during the holiday period.

DOH 8 said 21 victims were brought to hospitals which was higher from 18 from last year. Of the number this year 10 were from Leyte, 6 from Eastern Samar, 4 from Southern Leyte and 1 from Biliran. These however were all minor injuries such as powder burns, said the health office.

Despite the increase, DOH nurse sentinel Boyd Cerro said that they were still successful in their campaign.

"We are still successful, because there was zero incident in Western Samar and Northern Samar," Cerro disclosed.

Cerro also reminded those wounded to have an anti-tetanus shot for aside from cleaning the wounded part.

"We don't need to wait for the symptoms of tetanus, we need to see a doctor," He added.

He said that there were no reported victims of stray bullets and “watusi” poisoning.