CINCINNATI —

Ohio has hit the highest number of COVID-19 cases ever reported in a single day with Christmas just days away.

There were 12,864 new cases over a 24-hour period reported Wednesday.

State health officials said there were 492 new hospital admissions for a total of about 4,000 people hospitalized around Ohio. There are 800 people on ventilators.

“We should all be very concerned by the tidal wave of COVID hospitalizations, which again are driven largely by unvaccinated Ohioans,” said director of the Ohio Health Department Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.

The northern part of Ohio has been hit hardest so far.

The state rolled out plans for the Ohio National Guard to be deployed to those areas first, then reassess in the coming days and weeks.

“It’s disappointing. In Cincinnati, we may not be seeing the numbers the north is seeing, we know it’s coming,” said UC Health Dr. Jen Forrester. “Honestly, we’re worried that given the stresses, that we’re not going to be able to provide the care that we want to provide to each and every one of our patients.”

Testing facilities were jammed Wednesday as people tried to make sure their get-togethers can be as safe as possible.

“Now that my boyfriend tested positive, I got to stay home,” said one woman who was in a long line of cars for COVID testing. “Last year, we did a Zoom Christmas and we were like ‘finally this year,’ and then everything changed.”

Health officials said it was too early to tell if the new cases were omicron or delta or both.

COVINGTON, Ky. — A third COVID-19 vaccine option could soon be on the way – a panel unanimously recommended the emergency use authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Friday afternoon, and FDA approval could be granted shortly.

The world’s largest trial for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was headed up in Covington.

Tim Schroeder, the CEO of CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services, has been part of more than 100 drug approvals in his career.

“I have to say, this particular one will always have a special place," he said. "Just because of the circumstances the research was done under and the positive impact that this will ultimately have for society.”

He said the region has played an integral role in all three vaccines developed so far.

“Cincinnati Children’s led the Pfizer effort. UC led the Moderna effort. We were fortunate to lead the J & J effort,” Schroeder said. “In some ways, that’s really unique, especially for a region and population of a couple million.”

Globally, the company recruited 43,000 people to take part in the study, 500 of them in the Tri-State. Half received the vaccine, half received a placebo. Participants are monitored for a full two years. Schroeder said the study had the highest number of minority groups participating.

So far, side effects include minor body aches, headaches or fever.

“Typically when we have a new vaccine like influenza each year, we study in thousands of patients,” Schroeder said. “In the case of this, we’re studying in tens of thousands of patients.”

Local governments believe the more vaccine available, the easier it will be to get it in the hands of those who need it.

“Based on our current plans, we’ll have a lot more independent pharmacies out there that are ready, able and willing to step up to the plate and help communities,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Ohio health officials said the panel’s approval of the vaccine comes as a welcome sign.

“It’s clear that it’s 100% effective even in South Africa and Brazil by preventing hospitalizations and death. Very encouraging,” said Ohio Department of Health medical officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. “Is one better than the other? At this point in time, where we are in the pandemic, any one that’s offered to you is one you should take.”

Once the FDA gives final approval, Johnson & Johnson could have as many as 4 million doses ready to be shipped next week, and as many as 10 million over the next month.

CINCINNATI —

A warning from the top public health official in Ohio said the delta variant has arrived and is spreading. The state needs to prepare.

“Delta is on the doorstep,” said Ohio Department of Health chief medical officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. “It will move rapidly through the unvaccinated population.”

The concern comes because the number of Ohio COVID cases had been dropping for months then that suddenly changed.

“We have seen them not only level off for a few days but actually been an upturn,” Vanderhoff said.

The numbers are still low compared to the height of the pandemic, but Vanderhoff said considering what has happened in other parts of the country, people should be prepared.

“We see what’s happening in other states. We see the trends happening,” said Ohio State Wexner chief clinical officer Dr. Andrew Thomas.

In Springfield, Missouri, the delta variant is being blamed for hospitalizations that increased by 225% in a matter of days.

Indiana and Kentucky are seeing increasing numbers of COVID cases too.

In Northern Kentucky, the most recent weekly case numbers went from 13 to 65 to 103. Tuesday morning, the overnight total was 64.

“Part of the reason we’re here today, is to reinforce with those in our state that have chosen not to get vaccinated, really, they need to rethink their approach,” Thomas said.

Even in areas where the delta variant is the dominant virus, Vanderhoff said, more than 97 percent of those hospitalized have not been vaccinated.