When a friend of a friend tests positive

[BettyBo33]

Phone call today from a friend I saw yesterday (in her home but distanced) that a friend she had met earlier in the week (outside) has tested positive for Covid. My friend and her family are expecting to be contacted by track and trace. Where does that leave me? I presume if my friend doesn’t show symptoms or doesn’t have a positive test I will not be contacted by track and trace. But I can’t find clear knock on advice regarding my situation. Can I carry on as normal unless told otherwise as I haven’t had contact with this person who has tested positive?

You can carry on as normal until / unless your friend either develops symptoms or tests positive.

Even then only if you've been in close contact with her.

That being said obviously it would be a nice thing to do to try and socially distance, not mix, etc as much as you can (without isolating or whatever) just in case but there's no obligation to do so.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

Can I carry on as normal unless told otherwise as I haven’t had contact with this person who has tested positive?

Even if you had contact with them, you wouldn’t have to isolate unless they were in your support bubble, your household or you were told to by track and trace.

It is explained pretty clearly here...
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

You don't have to do anything, but I think personally I would limit social contact as much as possible until the results are in. It should only be a day or so anyway.

I would limit social contact as much as possible until the results are in.

What results? There has already been a positive test. No one else will be tested unless they develop symptoms.

DH's work has been told that someone has been in contact and is awaiting test results. We have decided that in the meantime, he will stay in the spare room and have a bathroom to himself as I'd rather not risk anything spreading just in case

I would be especially careful with social distancing and hand washing for the next couple of days. If after that time your friend has no symptoms you should be fine, I think you are only contagious for about 48 hours before symptoms develop. If your friend develops symptoms within 48 hours of your meetup expect to be asked to isolate by track and trace.