Sep 16, 2021 - World

Putin says dozens in inner circle tested positive for COVID-19

Jacob Knutson

Russian President Vladimir Putin during a video conference in the Moscow region on Sept. 14. Photo: Alexei Druzhinin\TASS via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that dozens of his staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus, AP reports.

Why it matters: The Kremlin announced earlier this week that Putin, who is fully vaccinated, would go into isolation for an undisclosed amount of time because of infections within his inner circle.

What they're saying: “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,” Putin said, according to AP.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that none of the cases were severe and were mainly among "those who take part in ensuring the work and activities of the head of state, his security.”

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Putin says dozens in inner circle tested positive for COVID-19

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