Advertisements circulating on social media for Pocono Mountains short-term home and Airbnb rentals during the coronavirus pandemic have been brought to the attention of both county and state officials.

The ads on gooddogvacations.com, Wallenpaupack Vacation Rentals, and Pocono Rentals state such things as “social distancing in comfort,” “...we can host your family for a little R&R in this stress filled world,” and “Are you looking to escape from the epicenter?” and “coronavirus-free,” respectively. Some of the ads also state they are discounting rates amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The ads have contributed to an influx of New York and New Jersey visitors to Monroe, Carbon and Pike counties, officials said. And it’s risking the health and safety of those who live there, they said.

All of the rental companies did not immediately return requests for more information Monday.

“This is a slow time for the Poconos since it is after the ski season but before trout fishing season and the Easter Holiday," said Lisa Kolcun of Smithfield Township, Monroe County. "This is not vacation time. I realize and understand people fleeing a hot zone; however, we are being asked to stay in place for a reason.”

Monroe County is becoming a coronavirus ‘hot zone’ with more than half of admissions to the St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Monroe campus being treated for COVID-19, hospital officials said Sunday. St. Luke’s infectious disease specialists have confirmed community spread is occurring in the Poconos, which means the virus is being transmitted among members of the community.

A similar percentage of admitted patients are being treated for COVID-19 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono location in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Lehigh Valley Health Network spokesman Brian Downs said on Monday. This includes patients from the areas outside the state, especially from New York, he said.

Downs said the network more than a week ago sent an alert to the public asking residents to avoid traveling to and from New York City due to an observed heightened risk for contracting COVID-19. It’s become apparent, Downs said, few are heeding the warnings about staying home and social distancing.

Both health networks have tents available in the event additional space is needed for patients.

“If people would just stay in their primary residence, maybe we could flatten the curve here in Monroe and Pike counties,” Kolcun said.

State officials also said now is not the time for the extra tourism in the Poconos. Gov. Tom Wolf ordered residents in several counties across the state -- including Monroe County, Pike County, Carbon County, and the Lehigh Valley on March 25 -- to stay home. It took effect at 8 p.m. and stays in effect until April 30.

“I feel (ads) are very socially irresponsible on a business ethics end,” said state Rep. Rosemary Brown, a Republican representing Monroe and Pike counties. “We always appreciate New Jersey and New York and the tourism and employment, but because of the situation we are trying to control in all three states I think it is very irresponsible on the part of these transactions continuing.”

Brown has since been in contact with Wolf’s office, the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and private communities. She said the response against these short-term rental properties hosting folks from out-of-state has been overwhelming. She is awaiting action by Wolf with a request to issue a joint statement with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy requesting residents adhere to their respective state’s “Shelter In Place/Stay at Home” orders rather than jump state lines.

“I believe the governor has the power to be able stop these transactions. That will definitely help our area, especially in the Pocono Mountains region,” Brown said.

Private communities, she said, also can possibly issue emergency changes to bylaws in order to implement policies relating to short-term rentals. Brown has been in contact with the Community Association Institute of Pennsylvania, a large network of private community memberships statewide, urging its members to make a change.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, a Republican serving parts of Carbon County, sent a letter to Cuomo, Murphy and Wolf on Monday urging action against the travel of out-of-state residents into Pennsylvania. Heffley said he also is concerned the area’s health care infrastructure can’t handle the surge in COVID-19 cases created by the influx of sick, out-of-state visitors.

A large, digital road sign on Route 22 west, just before the Route 33 interchange, states New York drivers traveling to Pennsylvania must quarantine for 14 days. Heffley doesn’t think that’s being done by those entering Carbon County, he wrote in his letter to the governors.

“Communities in these areas do not have police departments, so there is no one ... to enforce this self-isolation policy,” he wrote in the letter. "Furthermore, some of these residents are still traveling back and forth from the communities at the epicenter of the pandemic.”

State Sen. Mario Scavello, a Republican representing parts of Monroe and Northampton counties, also took issue with the rental advertisements. He stated on his Facebook page that any types of advertisements going against the Pennsylvania lockdown would be reported by him to state police.

Both Brown and Monroe County Commissioners Chairwoman Sharon Laverdure, however, said it’s up to the governor’s office to enforce New York and New Jersey residents staying within state lines.

Laverdure said county officials can’t implement a travel ban at the Pennsylvania border.

“But we are asking those who come to follow a directive, follow quarantine, and follow rules," she said. "Don’t abuse what we have; don’t gather in places. If you’re coming, we ask you play by the rules and be respectful.”

Wolf’s press office did not immediately return a request for the governor’s stance on a potential out-of-state visitor travel ban Monday.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. If there’s anything about this story that needs attention, please email her. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.