Kentucky reported a record-breaking 6,915 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, the highest ever for the state, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday.

Roughly 20% of Tuesday’s cases were in Kentuckians 18 and under.

“We are seeing a surge the likes of which this country and this world have not seen in our lifetimes,” Beshear said in a statement posted to social media. He urged people living in the state to wear masks in public places and indoors in order to prevent spreading the virus to others.

Kentucky also reported a record 21.74% positivity rate. There were 21 virus-related deaths reported Tuesday.

The Democratic governor warned that if the virus continued to spread at the current rate, it could create challenges for the state’s hospitals, which are starting to see increased hospitalizations.

Around 1,646 Kentuckians are hospitalized with COVID-19, and intensive care units in eight of the state’s 10 hospital regions are at 90% of capacity or greater.

Some 136 ICU beds are available statewide.

Beshear announced the first case of the omicron variant in Kentucky on Dec. 17.