TOP HEADLINES 

· A new study shows that the persistent syndrome of COVID-19 after-effects known as Long-COVID can develop after "breakthrough" infections in vaccinated people. Researchers at Oxford University reviewed data on nearly 20,000 U.S. COVID-19 patients, half of whom were vaccinated. 

Compared to unvaccinated patients, fully vaccinated people- particularly those under age 60 - did have lower risks for death and serious complications such as lung failure, need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, life-threatening blood clots, seizures, and psychosis. 

"On the other hand," the research team reported on medRxiv,, ahead of peer review, "previous vaccination does not appear to protect against several previously documented outcomes of COVID-19 such as long COVID features, arrhythmia, joint pain, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, sleep disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders."

· Moscow brought in its strictest lockdown measures since June 2020 as hospitals confront a rising wave of cases that has sent one-day pandemic deaths to record highs.

The partial lockdown, in which only essential shops like pharmacies and supermarkets are allowed to remain open, while schools and state kindergartens are shut, comes ahead of a nationwide week-long workplace shutdown from October 30.

· Russia plans to relaunch its troubled vaccination advertising and public information campaign, the daily Kommersant newspaper reported.

The Kremlin has lamented the slow pace of vaccinations across the world's largest country and said that the campaign to persuade people to protect themselves with Russia's flagship Sputnik V vaccine or an alternative vaccine has not been effective enough.

· Germany's coronavirus caseload took its biggest jump in two weeks, with over 28,000 new infections, the Robert Koch Institute said, adding to worries about restrictions this winter.

The number of new infections per 100,000 people over seven days - one of the metrics used to determine policy measures - stands at 130.2, up 12.2 points from 118.0 the previous day. New infections have been steadily creeping up since mid-October.

The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units has risen 15 percent within a week, the head of the German Hospital Federation (DKG), Gerald Gass, told the Redaktionsnetwork Deutschland media group.

· Slovakia's parliament cancelled its session on Thursday after one lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19, local media reported, as the country struggles with elevated case numbers.

Parliament adjourned the session until November 2 after the member from the ruling coalition tested positive, TA3 television reported. Most of the 150 lawmakers are fully vaccinated, many of them went for a test after the case was reported. 

· Hungary's government will require employees at state institutions to be vaccinated after a jump in new coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff said.

Gergely Gulyas said that private companies will also be empowered to require vaccinations for employees if they believe that is necessary and mask wearing will be mandatory on public transport from November 1.

· Europe's Airbus largely overcame global supply chain crisis to maintain its forecasted 600 jet deliveries this year, pushing its shares higher despite signs of labour shortages as the economy exits COVID-19 "hibernation."

· Ryanair vowed to repay customers within five days for cancelled flights in a renewed customer service push after criticism about how it handled refunds at the height of the pandemic.

· Ukraine registered a record daily high of 26,071 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, exceeding the previous high of 23,785 on October 22, the health ministry said. Ministry data also showed 576 new coronavirus-related deaths.