North Park Lounge in McCandless closes after employee tests positive for coronavirus

A restaurant employee in McCandless has tested positive for covid-19, prompting the business to temporarily close.

North Park Lounge owner Mark Baranowski posted a letter to the restaurant’s Facebook page Friday, stating an employee tested positive Thursday. He said the last day the employee worked was Saturday, June 20.

In an email, Baranowski said no other employees, including those working in the Murrysville and Lawrenceville locations, have tested positive for the virus. Those locations remain open.

North Park Lounge is the latest Allegheny County restaurant to close because of the virus. Mad Mex in Monroeville closed Thursday after an employee tested positive.

Health officials reported 61 new cases of covid-19 in Allegheny County Friday, a record high in almost two months.

Baranowski said the pandemic has been the most difficult issue he’s dealt with in his 32 years in the industry.

“There are so many variables we are dealing with, from the health and safety for our customers and staff, making sure our employees are making an income to pay their bills while just hoping our restaurants can survive these times,” Baranowski said.