"Our staff are working as quickly as they can under immense pressure."
People who did not have symptoms and were not requested for a test were asked not to queue as they were taking up the space of someone who may be a priority, the post said.
Rotorua residents awaiting a Covid-19 test at the Rotorua International Stadium pop-up centre are facing a two hour wait. Photo / Ben Fraser
The Lakes District Health Board had encouraged anyone with symptoms to go along to its Covid-19 testing centres after it was revealed from Auckland travelled to Rotorua while showing symptoms of the virus.
On Facebook, the health board has urged people to queue in their vehicles and only get tested if they have symptoms or have been asked to be tested.
Dalene Bungeroth told the Rotorua Daily Post she had been in line for about two hours.
"I don't mind, I know it's important to get it done so I'm willing to wait. I've had a sore throat and dry coughing so I just want to get a test done and get rid of the anxiety.
"I haven't had the test done before, I know it's in the nose so I'm preparing myself for that. I think [extra pop-up testing sites] would be a good idea, to relieve things a bit," she said.
Queue on Pukehangi Rd. Photo / Ben Fraser
Jodene Williams and her son Adam Williams were asked to get tests because Adam works at Skyline, one of the places the family from Auckland visited at the weekend.
They had also been waiting for about two hours.
"It's fine to wait but I do have a meeting which I'm trying to figure out if I'll make. We've been on Facebook, playing Candy Crush, checking emails - keeping quite busy actually.
"My son had been working at Skyline so they enforced him being tested and I'm a close contact so I'll get tested as well. I wonder if all these people have been told to be tested, but everyone has cold and flu symptoms this time of year so they're wondering I suppose," she said.
Drivers waiting to be tested were queued about 500m from the Rotorua International Stadium. Photo / Ben Fraser
The pop-up test centre at the Rotorua International Stadium on Devon St West opened today, from 9am-4pm.
The health board also said Rotorua and Taupō hospitals are open as normal.
"Please attend your appointments. All people visiting the hospitals need to sign in, use the register or scan the QR code.
"Physical distance where possible - wear a mask if not. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds minimum. Don't come to the hospital (unless as a patient to ED) if you are feeling unwell.
"The 24-hour birthing access remains available for women in labour. Flu vaccinations are still available, it won't protect you from Covid-19 but it will help you against flu."
In a statement this afternoona Lakes DHB spokeswoman said the board "regrets that many people have had such long waits over the past two days".
"The demand has been unprecedented and the figures have surpassed any testing figures previously for our district."
She said tomorrowthe DHB would assess whether to extend the operation of the second testing centre at the Rotorua International Stadium.
"Because of the demand we increased the number of staff in the facility during the day to provide additional capacity."
She confirmed the DHB swabbed attendees at a tangi at Ōhinemutu this morningafter the ceremony finished late morning, and then made swabbing available for Ōhinemutu villagers and others.
When asked if other testing centres would be established in the DHB area, she said: "not at this stage, but we will be discussing this".
"We have resourcing difficulties, given that we have winter pressures in our hospitals, have health staff at three managed isolation centres and have the testing centres. The DHB is grateful for the help offered by primary care and community providers at this testing time."
