BAGUIO CITY(PIA) - - Eight fireworks – related injuries (FWRI)  were reported in the in Cordillera region  based on the  Department of Health regional office’s (DOH – CAR) “Iwas – Paputok” surveillance monitoring as of January 2,2022 data, or a 167 percent increase compared to the three cases recorded during the same period last year.

The  number is 167 percent higher compared to the three cases recorded during the same period last year.

Seven of the FWRI cases were fireworks injuries  where four were active users and three were passive users including a 9 – year old who was hit by a mother rocket. One case was   a 31 – year old female in Abra  who  was hit by a stray bullet in the leg and is now recuperating in a health facility.

 Per geographical area, three cases were recorded in Abra, two each from Baguio City and Benguet and one from Ifugao.

Meanwhile, DOH – CAR Assistant Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan reminds anew the local government units to continue to be vigilant of their COVID – 19 PDITR (Prevent, Detect, Isolate, treat and Reintegrate) strategies and to calibrate/recalibrate their contingency plans to adopt with the possible threat of the Omicron variant.

The health department also advises those who are still unvaccinated to get their vaccines and for those already fully vaccinated to help engage and provide the right information about the importance of the vaccines to those who are still hesitant to get their jabs done.

 “I call on our local leaders, partner stakeholders and co – health workers to continuously engage those who remain hesitant to take the precious jab. As a family, friends neighbor, employees or co – worker, let our advice be their source of verified information and our actions be the manifestation of our love and concern,” Pangilinan stressed.

 “There are already three local Omicron cases recorded in the country and even though there is no such case recorded yet in Cordillera, the threat of COVID – 19 particularly the Delta variant remains in our midst, so do not delay any further and get your jab done. The vaccine is safe, effective and free,” she added. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)