First COVID-19 case at Abimar Foods was March 30, two weeks before plants shut down

ABILENE, Texas — The City of Abilene released the timeline of events that led to 47 cases of COVID-19 at AbiMar Foods and the company closing its plants.

The first positive case at Abimar Foods was on March 30.

By April 10, there were five positive cases and about 100 employees were quarantined with pay.

But the company remained open.

Then on April 13, the City said the company voluntarily closed both Abilene plants.

Three days later, the City said nine employees had tested positive.

Last week, Abilene Diagnostic Clinic began testing over 500 employees.

So far, 47 have tested positive.

Should the City have taken more of a role and asked Abimar Foods to close earlier than last week? We asked that question Monday during a press conference held by the City.

"I'm not aware of us advising them to close or shutdown," said City Manager Robert Hanna. "We were communicating with them consistently."

We also asked the City if they are mandating all AbiMar employees who tested positive self quarantine.

"I don't have enough police officers to force people to be responsible," said Hanna.

The City said AbiMar began putting safety mechanisms in place in mid-March before the company's outbreak by screening employees and closing down the third shift.

The City believes all the cookies and crackers made by the plants are safe to eat.

"There's just no evidence that our food supply was contaminated," said City Health Services Director Annette Lerma

The company has begun a deep cleaning and sanitation process and hopes to reopen in phases depending on test results.

KT XS learned AbiMar's shipping location on Vine Street remains open.

"There are no cases from there. There are very few people that work there so social distancing is easy," said Hanna.