Fig. 3

Forest plot: a meta-analysis of the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity in the respiratory tract samples. The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity from the onset of COVID-19 in the upper respiratory tract samples (a) and the sputum (b) was calculated using the random effects model. The difference in the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity between the sputum and the upper respiratory samples was calculated using the random effects model (c). Experimental meant the sputum and control meant the upper respiratory tract samples. MRAW, the raw data of mean; 95%-CI, 95% confidence interval; SD, standard deviation; MD, mean difference