This study found that SARS-CoV-2 testing results via nasopharyngeal swab and saliva sample were comparable, and that saliva is an acceptable alternative source for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid.

• Study used Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Sunnyvale, CA) PCR test for both samples
• A total of 156 paired NPS and saliva specimens were tested, all symptomatic patients from hospital ED or inpatient service
• The overall SAR-CoV-2 positivity was 50/156 (32.1%), while the community rate of positivity during the week of collection was 11.1%
• 153/156 (98% [94.48 -99.60%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)]) samples were in overall agreement.
• 47/49 samples were positive in saliva when compared to the NPS resulting in a positive percent agreement of 96% (86.02 -99.5%, 95% CI).
• A single sample demonstrated detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in the saliva, but the NPS was negative (1/106) resulting in a negative percent agreement of 99% (94.86-99.98%, 95% CI)