Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Tuesday morning.
1. Report sets out early NI shortages of protective kitacross the health sector during the pandemic, with supplies "very low" until June 2020, Northern Ireland's Audit Office says. Supplies only increased after "extensive lobbying" and with increased Covid cases in care homes, according to the Royal College of Nursing and Independent Healthcare Providers.
A requirement to wear face masks on the Tyne and Wear Metro rail networkbut the condition will be removed "cautiously and step by step" to ensure staff safety, operator Nexus says. The number of passengers wearing them has dropped from 95% when Omicron first emerged to an estimated 38%. While face coverings were once compulsory, England's remaining Covid restrictions were removed last week.