Fig. 4

Forest plot: a meta-analysis of the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity in various samples. The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity from the onset of COVID-19 in the blood (a) and stool (c) was calculated using the random effects model. The difference in the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity between the blood and upper respiratory tract samples was calculated using the random effects model (b). Experimental meant the blood samples and control meant the upper respiratory tract samples. The difference in the duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity between the stool and upper respiratory tract samples was calculated using the random effects model (d). Experimental meant the stool 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