Over 2,200 people across Vietnam were hospitalized following physical confrontations during the first three days alone of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.

The ministry’s preliminary report revealed that more than 2,200 people were admitted to hospitals in Vietnam after fights and conflicts occurring from January 27 to 29, or the last day of the previous lunar year to the second day of the new year.

The number of victims who died in escalating conflicts and scuffles during that period alone was recorded at 14, compared to 13 during last year’s eight-day Tet holiday.

More than 240 people were also rushed to the emergency rooms of higher-level hospitals for treatment of critical injuries.

The health ministry’s statistics also showed an upward trend in hospital admission due to fighting during Tet over recent years.

Staff at hospitals have also had their hands full tending to over 5,000 road accident victims during the holiday, which began on January 28 and lasts for a week or so. 

One person from the northern province of Hung Yen perished after gulping down herbicides, the report added.

The number of people admitted to hospitals for food and alcohol poisoning was recorded at nearly 1,200, with one third being alcohol poisoning cases.

One hundred and thirty also fell victim to firecrackers and explosives.

On an upbeat note, more than 8,000 infants were delivered, while 53,000 patients were cured of their illnesses and discharged from hospital during the Tet holiday, according to the report.