ASX plunges 2% as COVID surge wipes $35bn from the boards

Summary

• The ASX 200 fell by as much as 2% at Monday's open, shedding $35 billion 
• Worldwide COVID-19 cases have reached 10 million, with 500,000 deaths
• Victoria reported another 49 positive cases on Saturday, the highest daily number since April
• Gold is holding near its highest since early 2012 at $US1,771 an ounce