Should I self-isolate?

[Flippetydip]

Sorry, I'm sure these have been done to death. Colleague who I have spent the last two days with in close proximity for about 10 hours a day has just told me that a friend that he had dinner with on Friday night (Italian who was living in Rome) has developed shortness of breath and is being tested. Test results are back on Friday.

So this is potential infection at two-steps removed. Would it be total overkill for me to self-isolate? Apparently the NHS have advised him and his family that they only need to isolate themselves if the results come back positive - which seems slightly crackers.

Anyone?

Call 111 for advice? I think it's unlikely you'll need to self isolate.

I would say not. Research says that you are mainly contagious from the point of developing symptoms. This is at five days. Regardless of if the man tests positive, your risk of being infected is really low. However if colleague develops symptoms I would self isolate at that point.

OK, that seems reasonable. I am of course, now feeling achy and headachy - which is completely psychosomatic...

Seems to make sense that you wouldn't be contagious until symptoms have developed.