NEPa Covid Numbers Jump/ NY Opens Enrollment for COVID Tax Credits

It’s been a rough week in Northeast Pennsylvania for the rate of infection from the coronavirus with a jump in the number of COVID-19 cases and several additional death recorded. 

A check of the Pennsylvania COVID-19 dashboard on October 26 shows Pennsylvania, overall, posted 20,104 new cases over the week.  The previous week had the Commonwealth reporting 13,256 new cases. 

For the Northern Tier, Bradford County again leads the way in the jump in COVID cases.  Bradford had 251 new cases while the previous week there had been 169 new cases.  Bradford County also reported one additional death for a total of 223. 

Susquehanna County reported 94 new cases.  The previous week there had been 61.  There were no new deaths. 

Wayne County, meanwhile, lost three residents to COVID-19 last week.  That county added 128 cases.  The previous week Wayne had listed 83 new cases. 

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Meanwhile, in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced applications are now being accepted from small businesses that have completed a pre-screening process to become certified for the COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program.  

That program supports companies that made investments to comply with the emergency orders and regulations that were handed down in response to the coronavirus pandemic and outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. 

The new refundable tax relief program targets pandemic-related expenses during 2021 and 2022.  Eligible infections disease mitigation costs include disinfectant supplies, costs of expanding or defining space to accommodate social distancing, HVAC equipment, costs of setting up outdoor spaces like outdoor dining and equipment to help facilitate contactless sales. 

Tax credit will cover 50 percent of eligible costs up to $50,000. 

Applications will be accepted through March 31.  For information go to the Empire State Development website. .