Coronavirus tally: Chinese authorities close Tibet’s Potala Palace over small COVID outbreak

Chinese authorities have closed Tibet's Potala Palace after a small outbreak of COVID cases in the Himalayan region, the Associated Press reported. The action underscores China's continued adherence to its "zero-COVID" policy, mandating lockdowns, routine testing, quarantines and travel restrictions, even while most other countries have reopened. Meanwhile, more than 80,000 travelers remain stranded on the southern resort island of Hainan under requirements that they consistently test negative for the virus in coming days before being allowed to leave. In the US, the daily average for new cases continued its recent decline, but not all data are being captured as…