(Provides analyst feedback, updates costs)
    * Greenback hits lowest degree since April 2018 
    * First case of latest virus variant detected within the United
States
    * Interactive graphic monitoring international unfold of coronavirus:
tmsnrt.rs/3mvcUoa

    By Asha Sistla
    Dec 30 (Reuters) - Gold costs held regular on Wednesday, as
Britain's approval of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by
AstraZeneca         and Oxford College drove urge for food for
danger and a weaker greenback restricted bullion's losses in skinny
vacation commerce.
    Spot gold        was little modified at $1,878.52 per ounce
by 1017 GMT. U.S. gold futures        have been flat at $1,883.
    "You may have the vaccine information which is a bit optimistic (for the
financial system) however the greenback remains to be fairly weak after approval of
the U.S. fiscal stimulus," stated Financial institution of China Worldwide
analyst Xiao Fu.
    European shares gained after Britain grew to become the primary to
approve a COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford
College.                   
    Nevertheless, underpinning gold, the greenback index        hit a
greater than two-year low, as merchants shrugged off Republican
Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell's determination to delay a
vote on rising COVID-19 aid checks to
$2,000.                  
    Gold is seen as a hedge towards inflation and foreign money
debasement prone to outcome from giant stimulus measures.
    "The larger image is that gold remains to be holding up
extremely properly at these worth ranges and the fiscal and
financial stimulus will nonetheless be there in 2021 because the pandemic is
hitting arduous in U.S., Europe," stated Financial institution of China
Worldwide's Fu.
    Buyers await the Jan. 5 Georgia runoff elections that
will decide which political occasion will management the U.S.
Senate, with expectations for extra stimulus beneath a
Democrat-controlled Senate and Home.             
    "Trade Traded Fund flows are set to have a serious say on
how gold performs over the course of 2021, with traders
anticipated to wade additional out into risk-on waters," stated FXTM
market analyst Han Tan.          
    Amongst different treasured metals, silver        rose 0.3% to
$26.26 an oz, platinum        gained 1% to $1,060.04 and
palladium        was up 0.2% to $2,332.04.

 (Reporting by Asha Sistla and Nakul Iyer in Bengaluru; enhancing
by Barbara Lewis)