Kentucky reported 9,807 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, a single-day record for the state since the beginning of the pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Roughly 21% of Wednesday’s cases were in Kentuckians 18 and under.

Wednesday’s test positivity rate, 22.89%, is also the highest ever.

Responding to the elevated case numbers, the Democratic governor urged Kentuckians to be careful and wear masks in order to slow the transmission of the virus.

“Omicron is surging, more cases than we ever thought possible in any given day,“ Beshear said in a video posted to social media. ”If you’re eligible for your booster and you haven’t gotten it yet, get it tonight or get it tomorrow.”

There were 29 virus-related deaths reported Wednesday.

Some 1,704 Kentuckians are hospitalized with the virus, up from 1,434 a week ago.