Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, providing access to research on the novel coronavirus. Elsevier grants permission for free, unrestricted reuse of this research in PubMed Central and other repositories, with proper attribution. The study investigates the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan in December 2019. Real-time RT-PCR is recommended for diagnosis. Viral dynamics in infected patients remain unclear. The study collected samples from 82 infected individuals, including throat swabs, sputum, urine, and stool. Viral loads peaked around 5-6 days after symptom onset, with higher levels in sputum than in throat swabs. No viral RNA was detected in urine or stool samples from two patients. Respiratory samples from 80 individuals showed varying viral loads, with the highest in sputum. A sputum sample from a deceased patient had a very high viral load. Some individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 before symptoms appeared, indicating pre-symptomatic transmission. Viral loads were significantly correlated between throat and sputum samples on different days. Stool samples from 17 confirmed cases were positive on RT-PCR, though viral loads were lower than in respiratory samples. Precautionary measures should be taken when handling faecal samples. The study was supported by a theme-based research scheme in Hong Kong. The authors declare no competing interests.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource centre in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, providing access to research on the novel coronavirus. Elsevier grants permission for free, unrestricted reuse of this research in PubMed Central and other repositories, with proper attribution. The study investigates the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. An outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan in December 2019. Real-time RT-PCR is recommended for diagnosis. Viral dynamics in infected patients remain unclear. The study collected samples from 82 infected individuals, including throat swabs, sputum, urine, and stool. Viral loads peaked around 5-6 days after symptom onset, with higher levels in sputum than in throat swabs. No viral RNA was detected in urine or stool samples from two patients. Respiratory samples from 80 individuals showed varying viral loads, with the highest in sputum. A sputum sample from a deceased patient had a very high viral load. Some individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 before symptoms appeared, indicating pre-symptomatic transmission. Viral loads were significantly correlated between throat and sputum samples on different days. Stool samples from 17 confirmed cases were positive on RT-PCR, though viral loads were lower than in respiratory samples. Precautionary measures should be taken when handling faecal samples. The study was supported by a theme-based research scheme in Hong Kong. The authors declare no competing interests.