A statement from Abiy Ahmed's office said:

Quote Message: It is important to note that the virus is NOT related to any country or nationality.

It is important to note that the virus is NOT related to any country or nationality.

Quote Message: Everyone is equally at risk and therefore adhering to the evidence based Ministry of Health prevention and care guidelines is essential.

Everyone is equally at risk and therefore adhering to the evidence based Ministry of Health prevention and care guidelines is essential.

Quote Message: Prevention efforts need not be a barrier to our humanity and disposition for compassion.

Prevention efforts need not be a barrier to our humanity and disposition for compassion.

Quote Message: As a global community, we are each other’s keepers. Let us not let fear rob us of our humanity."

As a global community, we are each other’s keepers. Let us not let fear rob us of our humanity."

Ethiopia - a major trade hub on the continent - has so far recorded six cases of the virus, including a Japanese and UK diplomat.

A worker of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) works at a temperature control point at the Bole International Airport, in Addis Ababa, on March 17, 2020

Ethiopia has six confirmed cases of coronavirusImage caption: Ethiopia has six confirmed cases of coronavirus

Earlier, the US embassy in Ethiopia said it had received reports that foreigners had been stoned, spat at and denied transport after being accused of being infected with Covid-19.

And the Foreign Correspondents Association in Ethiopia has said that dangerous rumours are also being spread online about two journalists.

People should not circulate the "vicious" posts and should instead report them to the authorities, it said.