The total number of injuries related to fireworks has climbed to 41, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday, Dec. 30, ahead of the New Year's Eve celebration.

In its latest 2022 fireworks-related injury surveillance report, DOH said the figure is 52 percent higher than the 27 cases in the same period last year.

Of the total cases, 22 individuals sustained injuries in the eyes while four in the hand.

Five individuals had forearm injuries and two suffered head injuries.

Western Visayas had the highest number of reported fireworks-related injuries with 10 cases or 24 percent in total.

The Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), meanwhile, had the lowest with only one case reported.

The health department said at least 93 percent of the victims were males aged 9 to 15 years old.