** Australia's gold sub-index  .AXGD  falls as much as 2.6%,
hitting its lowest since Dec. 16
    ** Gold prices fell on Tuesday as the dollar benefited from
safe-haven buying driven by fears over a new coronavirus strain
in the United Kingdom  GOL/ 
    ** Oceanagold Corp  OGC.AX  is the top percentage loser,
losing as much as 4.4% to its lowest in a week
    ** Index heavyweight Newcrest Mining  NCM.AX  drops up to
3.2%, lowest since May 4
    ** Shares of Resolute Mining  RSG.AX  and Ramelius Resources
 RMS.AX  slip up to 3.8% and 5.7%, respectively
    ** Gold index up 7.9% YTD, as of last close

 (Reporting by Arundhati Dutta in Bengaluru)
 ((arundhati.dutta@thomsonreuters.com;))