The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is calling on the public to stop sending abuse to those with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
The calls from Hawke's Bay DHB Medical Officer Nick Jones comes after "sustained and unacceptable" attacks on social media.
Jones called for kindness and restraint after receiving numerous reports of abuse to people with confirmed cases of the virus.
"We understand there is a high level of anxiety in the community, but it is not acceptable to attack people who have been caught up in this pandemic," he said.
Jones said one case in particular was receiving an unacceptable level of abuse online.