RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia health authorities are reporting more than 550 new coronavirus cases, one of the largest 1-day increases since virus arrived in the state.

The numbers released Saturday by the Virginia Department of Health also show the state’s death toll from COVID-19 increased from 231 to 258. That’s more than a 10 percent increase in a single day.

The number of coronavirus cases reported Saturday increased to more than 8,000. That’s an increase of more than 560 from the nearly 7,500 cases reported Friday.

The state’s caseload is being watched closely as a possible indication of when Virginia could begin relaxing some of the stay-at-home restrictions that have been in place now for more than 30 days. Recently released federal guidelines suggest that states can start phasing in opening of businesses when they see a two-week decline in cases.

Meanwhile, North Carolina authorities are now reporting more than 6,000 coronavirus cases after more than 280 new cases were identified.

The state health department released new statistics Saturday showing that confirmed positive cases increased from more than 5,850 cases to 6,140.

The state’s death toll increased from 152 to 164.

Nearly 400 people are currently hospitalized.

The numbers show that 43 deaths — roughly 1 in 4 — have occurred in nursing homes throughout the state.

State officials are also dealing with a significant outbreak at Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro, where authorities said Friday that more than 250 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.

North Carolinians have been under a statewide stay-at-home order for nearly three weeks.