North Carolina coronavirus cases exceed 6,000;

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — 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.