Oil falls as virus count mounts, U.S. debate looms | Reuters

Oil falls as virus count mounts, U.S. debate looms | Reuters:

Oil prices fell on Tuesday as Europe and the United States grappled with a surge in new coronavirus infections and investors were cautious ahead of the first U.S. presidential debate. 

Brent's November contract LCOc1, which expires on Wednesday, fell 11 cents, or 0.3%, to $42.32 per barrel by 1023 GMT. The more-active Brent crude for December LCOc2 fell 12 cents, or 0.3%, to $42.75 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 fell 13 cents, or 0.3%, to $40.47 a barrel.

More than one million people have died of COVID-19 worldwide as of Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally, a bleak milestone in a pandemic that has devastated the global economy and fuel demand.