Dozens in Vladimir Putin's inner circle infected with coronavirus

Russian President Vladimir Putin says dozens of his staff have been infected with the coronavirus and that he will continue his self-isolation because of the outbreak.

The Kremlin announced earlier this week that he would self-isolate after someone in his inner circle was infected although Mr Putin had tested negative for the virus and he's fully vaccinated with Russia's Sputnik V. But the president said yesterday the infections were extensive.

LIVE UPDATES: Victoria facing 'struggle' to exit lockdown, expert warns

“Cases of coronavirus have been identified in my immediate environment, and this is not one, not two, but several tens of people. Now we have to observe the self-isolation regime for several days,” he said by video link to a summit of the Russia-led Collective Treaty Security Organisation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that those infected were “mainly those who take part in ensuring the work and activities of the head of state, his security.”

None of the cases are severe, he said.

READ MORE: The small European nation that has 'beaten' COVID-19 with vaccines

Although Russia was the first country to roll out a coronavirus vaccine, less than 30 per cent of the country is fully vaccinated.

The national coronavirus task force says about 7.2 million infections have been recorded in the country of 145 million, with 195,835 deaths.