Doctors working in EDs say they have been on the receiving end of anti-Asian racism from members of the public alarmed about the threat of coronavirus.

There are reports the outbreak has prompted a rise of abuse towards people of Chinese appearance.

Many of the attacks have occurred on social media, where fake advice has circulated purporting to come from Australian health authorities, telling people to avoid areas with heavy Chinese populations, such as Sunnybank in Brisbane and Chatswood in Sydney.

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) now says there have been incidents in hospital EDs where people of Asian appearance have been abused.