About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.4 per cent at 27,072.15. — Reuters pic
The losses came as worldwide coronavirus cases hit a new high of 500,000 yesterday, according to a tally from health authorities compiled by AFP. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also seeking drastic new curbs, including fresh shutdowns hitting leisure, sports and the food and drink sectors as she holds crisis talks with Germany’s regional leaders to halt surging coronavirus infections and save the Christmas holiday season.