BAGUIO CITY – – The Department of Health and its partners from the Police Regional Office and Bureau of Fire Protection reported a generally peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration in the Cordillera.
In a Kapihan media forum, DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Head Geeny Anne Austria reported that based on their fireworks – related injury (FWRI) Surveillance Report from December 21 to present, there are only four cases recorded in the region, down by 18 cases or 83 percent compared to the 22 cases recorded during the same period of last year.
Cases of firework–related injuries were recorded in Abra, Ifugao, Apayao and Mountain Province with one each. Zero or no firework – related injury was recorded in Benguet, Kalinga Baguio City and Tabuk City.
For the recorded injury cases, two were due to “Boga” and one each due to Piccolo and Kwitis. Two of the victims are minors (eight and 12 years old) and all of them have light injuries (two on their hands, 1 on the neck and the other one, a 12 – year old boy had an eye irritation), Austria added.
Lieutenant Colonel Marcial Fa–ed of the Police Regional Office Cordillera, in the same forum affirmed a generally peaceful yuletide celebration in Cordillera and that no cases of indiscriminate firing of guns was recorded.
There was also no fire incident recorded in the region, according to Bureau of Fire Protection Operations Division Chief Mark Anthony Dangatan.
With 2020 as a challenging year with the Coronavirus Diseases, DOH – CAR Regional Director Dr. Ruby Constantino reminded the public to maintain a healthy lifestyle and continue to protect themselves by strictly adhering to the minimum health standards and safety protocols against COVID – 19.
“As we patiently wait for the success of the vaccine trials in our country and as we face 2021, let us be hopeful for a healthier year and remain vigilant to observe the minimum health standards as we practice, Apat Dapat ngayong Bagong Taon: Una – umiwas sa kulob na lugar; Pangalawa – Dapat may isang merong distansya; Pangatlo – gumamit ng face mask at face shield; at Pang – apat iklian ang interaksyon sa ibang tao”, Constantino said.
Constantino also reminds older people, especially those with co–morbidities to stay at home as much as possible. At the same time, other people must also protect the elderly and medically–compromised in their households by ensuring that they are not bringing home the virus through proper adherence to the minimum health standards. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
