WTI crude fell nearly 1.8% to $52.44 a barrel around 08:30 AM London time on Thursday, a price not seen since August, as the rising death toll from a virus spreading from China and city lockdowns their deepened concerns over oil demand. The number of confirmed deaths from the virus in Beijing has climbed to 170 with 7,711 people infected, and more cases are being reported worldwide. Pressuring prices further, EIA data on Wednesday showed a bigger-than-expected increase in US crude inventories. Brent crude added as much as 1.7% to $58.71 a barrel.
