As COVID-19 numbers rise across the nation including in his state Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas incorrectly said Thursday that experts are still unsure whether children can get and spread the coronavirus.

We still dont know whether children can get it and transmit it to others, Cornyn, who is up for reelection this year, said in an interview with local TV station NBC 5 when asked about schools reopening this fall.

But thats not true.

Children make up a small portion of the COVID-19 cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but they do account for some of them. The actual number of kids in Texas who have contracted COVID-19 is still unknown; the demographic data for positive cases in the state come from completed investigations in regional health departments, and many cases are still under investigation.

But data shows that at least 550 children in Texas age 9 and under 99 of whom are infants under 1 year old have contracted COVID-19. Another 1,172 Texans between the ages of 10 and 19 have contracted the disease, and more than 1,300 coronavirus cases have been linked back to child care facilities in the state. Texas compilation of completed case investigations does not list any COVID-19 fatalities for minors, but county officials say 17-year-old Jameela Dirrean Emoni Barber died in Lancaster, Texas, in April after testing positive for the virus.

Still, President Donald Trump and many of his GOP allies have pushed to reopen schools full time this fall, partially by downplaying the viruss risks .

Even if children are generally less susceptible to the disease than the elderly, some kids are more vulnerable due to medical conditions. Teachers and other school staff may be as well. And children dont exist in a vacuum they go home to family members, friends and neighbors who may be high-risk.