JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - Data shows several counties in north Mississippi have had rapid COVID-19 growth in the past 50 days.

Dr. Thomas Dobbs, the state’s health officer, shared the data to his Twitter account Wednesday morning.

Counties with rapid COVID growth.

Please! Mask/6 feet/Small groups - will make all the difference. pic.twitter.com/GJwpLbxBzY

— thomas dobbs (@TCBPubHealth) July 22, 2020

Three graphs highlight 15 counties, including Alcorn, Lee, Prentiss, Marshall, Pontotoc, and Tishomingo.

The health department estimates the cases in these counties will continue to grow.

Dobbs urges Mississippians to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large groups. He said these measures “will make all the difference.”

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton shared Dobbs’ data Wednesday morning saying, “Please take note that Lee County (Tupelo) is on this list. We need statewide action, or at least county wide action, ASAP.”

Please take note that Lee County (Tupelo) is on this list. We need statewide action, or at least county wide action, ASAP. https://t.co/L9Iq9QssKv

— Jason Shelton (@jasonformiss) July 22, 2020

Mississippi does not currently have a statewide mask mandate. Alabama implemented a mask mandate last week.

Of the 15 counties shown in Dobbs’ data Wednesday, only Bolivar, Harrison, Jackson, Sunflower, and Washington counties currently have county-wide mask mandates. These counties are considered hot spots for the virus and are to follow strict safety measures.

Grenada County is the only county in the WTVA 9 News viewing area included in the hot spot list. Oktibbeha County also has a mandate.

Related - Mississippi adds 10 more counties to enhanced measures list

Open this link to view the cases per county, recoveries and more information.