Alternative arrangements had been made for funeral directors and other mortuary users.
Asbestos fibres were also found in several areas used only by staff on the third, fourth, and fifth floors of the clinical services building, in laboratories, clinic rooms, changing rooms and corridors.
No asbestos was present in the air, tests showed.
Swab testing revealed asbestos dust in the waiting area adjacent to the ultrasound suite, three radiologists' offices, and a corridor.
Communication over the issue was confused yesterday, chief executive Carole Heatly telling media at a press conference that patients were unaffected, because ultrasound equipment could still be used.
But a union contacted the Otago Daily Times shortly afterwards to advise that was incorrect, and there was significant disruption, which the board subsequently admitted.
The press conference at Dunedin Hospital was fronted by Ms Heatly, commissioner Kathy Grant, occupational hygienist Andre Halkyard, surgical division medical director Stephen Packer and occupational and environmental medicine authority Associate Prof David McBride.
A senior communications manager has been flown in from Canterbury District Health Board to co-ordinate the board's public response.
Mr Halkyard, of Precise Consulting and Laboratory, said it was unknown how long the asbestos had been present on the surfaces of the affected areas, and it was not known how it got there.
It may have been disrupted during maintenance or other work.
Asked if pregnant women could have been exposed while waiting for an ultrasound, Prof McBride said the risk was ``negligible''.
Prof McBride said the risk was greatest to hospital maintenance staff.
The risk to other staff was very low to negligible, he said.
Ms Heatly said air testing had been done regularly over the past few years. As far as she knew, swab testing had not been carried out previously.
She said staff were handling the situation well, doing everything possible to minimise disruption to patients.
"My message to the public is we are doing everything we can to manage the risks we are aware of.
"We will continue to test and, if we find any other areas that are positive, we will be really proactive and we will isolate and close down those areas.''
All the asbestos fibres found were white asbestos.
The new finds follow tests confirmed earlier this month revealing damaged asbestos in ceiling cavities above non-public areas in the clinical services building, lecture theatre block and the Fraser Building.
The clinical services building has to last 10 or more years before it is replaced, and last month the Government granted $7.3 million for urgent deferred maintenance on the run-down building. Asked if that work would now be more expensive, Ms Heatly said it probably would.
Mrs Grant said it was good to have the information so the work could be carried out with due care.
The testing had been routine, carried out to update the asbestos register.
Mr Packer said the asbestos threat was minimal compared with that posed by the roads or smoking.
"It's less than the risk of getting cancer from alcohol.
"It's less than the risk of getting cancer from consequences of obesity.
"It is a very small risk compared with the other risks that we live with and manage every day.
"The likelihood is perhaps one in 100,000 of dying from mesothelioma in
20 or 25 years from the event.
"For myself, if I were exposed, I don't think it would ever bother me as I don't expect to be still around in 20 or 25 years; something else would have taken me,'' Mr Packer said.
The road traffic analogy was also used in a mass email to staff, angering a staff member who contacted the ODT.
The person, who did not wish to be named, said the board should be taking the matter more seriously.
"To use the analogy of being hit by a car ... I find that that's quite distasteful because it's a very serious matter,'' the staff member said.
Mrs Grant said Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman had been briefed on the situation.
Yesterday, Dunedin North MP David Clark blamed Dr Coleman for the situation and said work on the total rebuild should get under way without further delay.
"Hospital staff should not be working in a building that makes them sick and risks shortening their lives, nor should patients and other members of the public be exposed to it.
"Jonathan Coleman needs to explain why he is dragging his heels. Rather than more prevaricating, he must push for the rebuild work to start immediately.''
Dr Coleman was unavailable to respond.
Anyone concerned about possible exposure should call 0800 214 579.
