Scientific and medical labs are known for their precision and cleanliness, with every inch and measurement vital in examinations.

But inside still-under-construction labs at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, multiple spaces are unusable.

"When you take 10,000 square feet of testing space and shrink it down into 1,000 or 2,000 (square feet), that is not only taxing on the process, but the team who's doing the work as well," said Dr. Scott Shone, the lab's director.

Officials showcased the spaces during a behind-the-scenes tour on Wednesday. Shone stood in front of a plastic zip-up cover where a wall and door should be. In front of him, plastic wrapping covered tables. Underneath him, the floor was coated with cardboard boxes. Above him, ceiling tiles were missing.

"This is an area where we would do testing for HIV, for hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and chlamydia. This is having a direct impact on our ability to protect and serve the citizens of North Carolina," said Shone.