COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — As South Carolina reports spiking numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19, its children are also suffering from mental health and educational consequences of closed schools, health and education leaders told state lawmakers Wednesday.

The state needs to reduce its high rate of cases so students can return to school safely, Department of Education Superintendent Molly Spearman told a state Senate subcommittee meeting. Since Memorial Day, the state has seen a spike in reported cases and hospitalizations.

Health officials reported 1,537 new confirmed cases and 38 deaths Wednesday. The state has now reported 48,770 total cases since March, with a death toll of 876 people.

“Leaders can’t close their eyes to what's happening,” Spearman said. “As state superintendent, I have the responsibility of not only ensuring that students are safe, but also the safety of the hardworking educators that facilitate education every day.”

Dr. Debbie Greenhouse, a pediatrician speaking on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatric's state chapter, urged in-person learning for students. She said that children's experiences during the pandemic have been “devastating,” with social isolation leading the vulnerable to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Greenhouse said children are at low risk for catching or transmitting the virus. Children and older adolescents tend to catch the virus in two ways, she said: either from a symptomatic household member, or from hanging out in places such as indoor restaurants, beaches and even bars in the case of older youths.

Greenhouse urged the state to close its bars, shut down indoor dining and implement a mask rule. In response to questioning by senators, Spearman agreed with Greenhouse.

A task force created by Spearman has formulated dozens of recommendations for reopening schools, from placing desks six feet apart to turning off water fountains and providing bottled water instead.

The Trump administration has publicly pressured schools to reopen in the fall. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump threatened on Twitter to cut public aid to schools that don’t re-open.

“Wear your mask now so our children can return to school in the fall,” Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted Wednesday morning, his plea accompanied by a photo of him wearing a face covering.

Though McMaster has repeatedly asked South Carolinians to wear masks and practice social distancing, he has so far refused to issue a statewide mask order. The governor has previously said such an order would be unenforceable. Many of the state’s municipalities have passed mask requirements on their own.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.

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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.

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Liu is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.