NEW DELHI, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 400 Indian nationals evacuated recently from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, have tested negative for the virus and will be discharged from Monday, India's semi-official news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Sunday.

The 406 people have been put under medical observation at a paramilitary quarantine facility in the Indian capital. "They will be discharged in (a) phased manner from Monday," the report added.

Officials have said that every member of the group tested negative for the virus twice on Friday.

A separate group of Indian nationals was evacuated from Wuhan earlier this month and put under quarantine in an army facility in Manesar in the neighbouring state of Haryana.

India has so far reported three confirmed coronavirus cases in the southern state of Kerala, with two patients discharged from hospital after showing signs of recovery.

The Indian government on Friday said the novel coronavirus situation in the country was under control, with precautionary measures adopted and effective surveillance in place.

India's federal health ministry has launched a 24-hour helpline and is circulating prevention measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has declared the novel coronavirus epidemic a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).