549 New Coronavirus Cases In Washington; 6 More Deaths

SEATTLE, WA — State health officials confirmed 549 new coronavirus cases in Washington on Saturday, the second-highest single-day increase recorded since the outbreak began.

Saturday's number of new cases is eclipsed only by the 619 new cases confirmed on June 20. The six new deaths announced Saturday bring the state's total to at least 1,310, among 31,404 total confirmed cases.

King County reported the biggest increases in positive tests Saturday with 137, followed by Benton, Yakima and Franklin counties.

According to the latest data, more than 525,802 Washingtonians have been tested for the coronavirus, with 6 percent testing positive overall.

Catch up on the latest developments:

Inslee pauses Phase 4 reopening amid statewide spike

Citing rising numbers of coronavirus cases across Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee on Saturday said the state was pausing counties' ability to move into Phase 4, the final stage of the state's reopening plan.

Before the pause, eight counties were eligible to move from Phase 3 into Phase 4, which would permit large gatherings, recreational activity and the reopening of concert venues and nightclubs, according to Inslee and State Health Secretary John Wiesman.

"Phase 4 would mean a return to normal activity and we can't do that now due to the continued rise in cases across the state," Inslee said in a statement Saturday.

Health Secretary John Wiesman said the state is choosing to "slow down" its phased reopening, and will consider changing its approach for allowing counties to move past Phase 3 sometime in the coming weeks.

Read more: Inslee Pauses Phase 4 Reopening As COVID-19 Spikes In Washington

Pandemic forces cuts to UW Athletics

The University of Washington is reducing its athletic department budget by 15 percent for the next fiscal year, citing the severe financial toll that the pandemic has taken on the school.

The cuts will save UW around $13 million, athletic director Jennifer Cohen said, stressing that all 22 of its athletic programs will continue, the Associated Press reported.

An even steeper financial hit could be coming due to a loss in ticket revenue, if the Huskies are forced to play an entire college football season without fans in the stands.

Read more: Washington Cuts Athletic Budget

Coronavirus cases by county

The above numbers are provided by the state Department of Health, and some numbers differ from the totals provided separately by county health agencies.