The Whanganui DHB spokesman said the high demand for testing was creating difficulties for staff, and urged the public to show patience when presenting for a test.
"The high demand is putting strain on our testing staff as well as creating a wait for those wanting to be tested," the spokesman said.
"We ask that people show kindness and patience and treat health staff with respect as they go about this important work."
Whanganui DHB chief executive Russell Simpson said on Friday some people were presenting for a test without showing symptoms, clogging up the queue for those with symptoms of Covid-19.
"What we're a little bit concerned about is the worried well turning up to the CBAC [community-based assessment centre]," Simpson said.
"It's creating long queues for people who want to get tested. We do ask people who are symptomatic or have been at locations of interest to present, not the worried well."
Thursday also marked the reopening of vaccination centres across the district, after a pause was placed on the rollout so centres could put in place level 4 restrictions.
The DHB said 485 vaccinations were undertaken on Thursday across three vaccination centres: Aramoho Health Centre, Taihape Hospital and Whanganui's Victoria Ave vaccination centre.
The rollout will be ramping up in the coming days, with about 500 people who had their appointments cancelled on Wednesday to be offered alternative sessions.
Information on the number of no-shows or missed appointments across the DHB vaccination centres was not immediately available on Friday.
Covid-19 testing centres
• Whanganui DHB Testing Centre, Whanganui Hospital (no appointment needed).
• Gonville Health Centre, Whanganui (no appointment needed).
• Living Waters Medical Centre, Whanganui.
• Te Oranganui, Te Waipuna Medical Centre, Whanganui.
• Whanganui Accident and Medical, Whanganui.
• Bulls Medical Centre, Bulls.
• Stewart Street Surgery, Marton.
• Taihape Health Centre, Taihape.
