A study found that 91.7% (11/12) of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection had detectable virus in their saliva. Saliva is a promising noninvasive specimen for diagnosis, monitoring, and infection control. Saliva specimens can be collected easily without invasive procedures, reducing the risk of transmission to healthcare workers. The study also showed that viral load in saliva generally declined over time. Live virus was detected in saliva through viral culture in three patients. Saliva was compared to nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, which are commonly used for 2019-nCoV testing but require close contact with patients, posing a risk of transmission. Saliva is preferred for serial monitoring as it is less uncomfortable for patients and safer for healthcare workers. The study also found that saliva can contain live virus, suggesting possible transmission through saliva, even in patients without respiratory symptoms. This supports the use of surgical masks as a control measure. The study highlights the potential of saliva as a noninvasive specimen for 2019-nCoV diagnosis and monitoring.A study found that 91.7% (11/12) of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection had detectable virus in their saliva. Saliva is a promising noninvasive specimen for diagnosis, monitoring, and infection control. Saliva specimens can be collected easily without invasive procedures, reducing the risk of transmission to healthcare workers. The study also showed that viral load in saliva generally declined over time. Live virus was detected in saliva through viral culture in three patients. Saliva was compared to nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, which are commonly used for 2019-nCoV testing but require close contact with patients, posing a risk of transmission. Saliva is preferred for serial monitoring as it is less uncomfortable for patients and safer for healthcare workers. The study also found that saliva can contain live virus, suggesting possible transmission through saliva, even in patients without respiratory symptoms. This supports the use of surgical masks as a control measure. The study highlights the potential of saliva as a noninvasive specimen for 2019-nCoV diagnosis and monitoring.