Jaisalmer,  A fresh batch of 53 evacuees from Iran have arrived at an Army Wellness Centre in Jaisalmer on Monday, following the COVID-19 outbreak in the Middle East country, where there has been over 700 deaths so far.

This is after the first batch of 236 evacuees that arrived at Jaisalmer on Sunday, confirmed Army officials here on Monday.

As per the procedure, preliminary screening of these persons was undertaken at the airport upon arrival. Thereafter, they were moved to the quarantine facility here in Rajasthan where they will undergo 14 days quarantine under professional medical supervision, said Col Sombit Ghosh, PRO, Defence, Rajasthan.

The Army authorities have assured that they are fully geared up to accommodate all these evacuated Indian citizens and provide them with requisite medical and administrative support during their mandatory quarantine period. The people have been advised to take all possible precautions against the COVID-19 virus, he added.

Meanwhile Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said, "Of the Sunday's evacuees, three who had symptoms were tested and all have tested negative."

One person who was spreading fake news about new cases on social media has been identified as a contractual employer. His services have been terminated and he is under arrest by Dausa police, he said further.

ACS informed that a total of 430 samples have been tested out of 424 came negative, 4 were positive and two are under process.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh on Sunday said measures were afoot to take the evacuees in.

On Sunday morning, 236 evacuees from Iran reached Jaisalmer in two Air India planes, said Col Sombit Ghosh, PRO (Defence), Rajasthan.

The civil and the army authorities are working in close coordination to ensure a seamless and smooth handling of the situation. Army authorities had been provided adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) kits and other support by the state government, Singh added.

Stating that the situation in Rajasthan is under control, Singh said, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's video-conferencing with the Collectors in morning had strengthened the resolve to meet the coronavirus challenge.

"Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic by the WHO and a large number of Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit countries, like Italy and Iran, are being evacuated," Col. Ghosh said.

As a precautionary measure, these evacuees will be kept under 14-day isolation. The army has set up wellness centres at various places for the purpose. The 236 Indians evacuated from Iran on Saturday were being kept in isolation at the Jaisalmer army wellness centre, he added.