Philippines enduring New Year's injuries

MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The New Year's celebration in the Philippines has already resulted in at least 165 injuries from fireworks usage, the Department of Health says.

The government department confirmed the figures since Tuesday morning local time marked an 18 percent injury decline compared with the previous four years, The Inquirer reported Wednesday.

In preparation for the injury fallout from holiday festivities, Health Secretary Francisco Duque has been visiting Filipino hospitals to determine their level of readiness.

The Inquirer said Duque is determining if each medical site has appropriate personnel and equipment to handle the ongoing glut of injuries related to New Year's celebrations.

Among the reported injuries have been two cases of illness from ingestion of dancing pyrotechnics, known as watusi in the Philippines.