Instagram influencers criticised for using coronavirus hashtag to post unrelated pictures

Deadly virus has so far claimed 213 lives

A number of Instagram influencers are attempting to hijack the coronavirus hashtag in an attempt to boost traction on their posts.

On Friday, Chinese authorities confirmed that coronavirus – a respiratory illness which originated in the city of Wuhan – had caused a total of 213 deaths.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the “unprecedented” outbreak as an international public health emergency.

Despite the severity of the virus, Instagram users are appearing to use the hashtag #coronavirus to increase likes and followers on posts with little or no relation to the outbreak.

Currently, the hashtag boasts more than 199,000 posts, and while many are directly related to the deadly disease, others are coming under fire for using the illness to attract attention to their extravagant lifestyles.

On Thursday, controversial American YouTuber Logan Paul shared a photo of himself surrounded by a throng of models wearing gas masks alongside the caption: “F**k the corona virus.”

A number of Paul’s followers criticised the post as “insensitive” with one person writing: “I don't think this is so funny, people are dying.”

Another agreed, adding: “Man this isn’t funny at all. It’s spreading all over the world.”

Paul isn’t the only influencer to use the hashtag on a seemingly unrelated post.

On Friday, a German influencer, who goes by the handle Fitness Oskar, shared a photo of himself with his girlfriend's legs tightly wrapped around his waist as they “kissed” through their face masks while on holiday in Phuket, Thailand.

“We are not afraid of the virus... We still enjoy our vacation and hope that this misery will be stopped soon!” the caption read.

Elsewhere, American video maker Steven Divish shared a photo of himself posing in a street wearing a black face mask, red jacket and pink Nike bumbag alongside the caption “Vibe check”.

Similarly, an American influencer who goes by the name Dina used the hashtag on an image of her wearing a black and pink face mask in Miami, where there have so far been no confirmed cases of the virus.

“Say NO to #coronavirus wash your hands with soap and water x 20s,” the caption read.

“Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands, cover your mouth and nose when cough/sneeze.”

On Friday, the first two cases of coronavirus in England were confirmed.

The Department of Health declined to say where in England the patients were from, however a source said they were being treated at a hospital in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear.

In a statement, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said that the NHS is “extremely well-prepared” and is already “working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread”.