ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization to a new coronavirus test earlier this month.

This test - called SalivaDirect – is already in use and was developed by Yale University.

The NBA is using it in the playoffs in their bubble at the Wide World of Sports in Disney World.

Doctors at Yale said SalivaDirect yields similar outcomes as its original cousin -- the PCR diagnostic test, which is what health experts have been using since the start of the outbreak.

Here's where the two tests are different, according to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital's Dr. Allison Messina.

"The saliva test is not really a commercial product,” explained Dr. Messina. “It's really just a set of instructions on how to perform a PCR test on equipment that we already have.  So, it's a recipe if you will."

Here's what that means:

• It's less invasive.
• You don't have to collect samples down the nasal passage.
• You can do this at home and avoids a testing center visit.
• It also uses less chemicals compared to the regular PCR test.

With chemicals used for coronavirus testing in short supply, this could make mass testing quicker and with equipment already on hand.

The Yale study of the saliva test with NBA players is ongoing.

They're now testing teams and players who are not playing inside the Disney bubble.