Category Archives: headline

Six teens in hospital after ingesting substance at Mackay home

Six teenagers have been taken to hospital after ingesting an unknown substance at a home in Mackay, in Central Queensland.

Three girls and three boys were found requiring medical treatment at the address on Malcomson Street after emergency services were called just before 11am.

A 15-year-old boy is in a critical condition.

Police have declared a crime scene and are working to determine what substance the teens ingested.

More to come.

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Accused murderer granted bail because his dad is in hospital with COVID-19

A Melbourne man accused of murder has been granted bail to "support his family" as his father battles COVID-19 in hospital.

Adam Tiba, 22, was granted bail before the Supreme Court earlier this afternoon.

The court heard his father, Zain, was in an induced coma in hospital with COVID-19 and was allegedly "the sickest man in Australia".

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Restrictions stop Mr Tiba from actually visiting his ill father in hospital unless "death is imminent", but his lawyer said Mr Tiba's family was "in crisis".

The lawyer said Mr Tiba would have a critical role in supporting his mum, who is recovering from coronavirus, and his young siblings.

Mr Tiba has been accused of gunning down Adrian Pacione last year.

Mr Pacione was shot in the head at an Ella Court property in Lalor on 18 July 2020 while he was watching television in the back room of his friend's house.

Mr Tiba and two other men were charged with the 20-year-old's apprentice's murder on 21 October, 2020.

ACT records 31 new COVID-19 cases

The Australian Capital Territory recorded 31 new local cases of COVID-19.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said at least 17 of today's cases had been in the community at some point during their infection period and 14 were still under investigation.

He said getting tested early was vital to drive down case numbers.

"It helps reduce the number of infectious days in the community, but will also help if you are diagnosed earlier with treatments to help you recover from COVID," he said.

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The Pfizer vaccine is now available to Canberrans over the age of 60.

He also urged people not to mix COVID-19 vaccines.

"Mixing vaccines is not approved in Australia at this time, so it's not possible to get an mRNA vaccine if you have received AstraZeneca as your first dose," he said.

His warning comes as people over the age of 60 become eligible to book a Pfizer vaccine at a mass vaccination clinic or through a local GP.

The Moderna vaccine has become available for the same age group.

People in the Australian Capital Territory over the age of 60 are now eligible to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

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Mr Barr urged residents to be proactive with continuing their vaccination plan as more doses become available.

"If you have received a first dose of AstraZeneca, you must receive a second dose of AstraZeneca."

He said this was due to forward planning by the Commonwealth Government to ensure boosters shots were available next year.