* Gold up 30% so far this year
* Spot gold could slip into $1,943-$1,954/oz range - analyst
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser (Updates prices)
By Eileen Soreng
Aug 3 (Reuters) - Gold hit a record high on Monday as fears over the economic fallout from rising coronavirus cases bolstered its safe-haven appeal, before inching lower as a bounce in the dollar fuelled some profit-taking.
Spot gold XAU= eased 0.2 % to $1,970.69 per ounce at 1211 GMT, having hit a record high of $1,984.66 in early Asian trade. U.S. gold futures GCv1 were 0.1% higher at $1,986.90.
"The dollar's correction from a two-year low is taking some shine off gold," independent analyst Ross Norman said. "We seem to be in a period of consolidation and we've seen some profit-taking."
However a move to $2,000 is on the cards in the near-term, Norman added, with a host of factors including weaker economic data and a resurgence in the geopolitical spat between the United States and China contriving to take gold higher.
Gold prices have surged about 30% so far this year, supported mainly by lower interest rates and widespread stimulus measures by global central banks to ease the economic blow from the pandemic.
COVID-19 cases have topped 18 million globally, and White House coronavirus experts said on Sunday the U.S. is in a new phase of the outbreak, with infections "extraordinarily widespread" in rural areas as well as cities. on bullion, the dollar index .DXY was up 0.5% against its rivals, making assets priced in the U.S. unit more expensive for holders of others currencies. USD/
Also on investors' radars was the new U.S. stimulus plan that lawmakers are struggling to hammer out. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on Sunday he was not optimistic on a near-term deal for coronavirus relief bill. gold may retreat into a range between $1,943 and $1,954 per ounce as it failed again to break resistance at $1,982, said Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. TECH/C
Elsewhere, silver XAG= dipped 0.6% to $24.22 per ounce, platinum XPT= rose 0.5% to $911.17, while palladium XPD= climbed 1.2% to $2,116.20.
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