Do aerosols play a key role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2?

Synopsis

Millions of people have been infected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID­-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS­-CoV-­2). Exhaled droplets from infected humans that carry SARS-CoV-2 viral particles cause the transmission of this virus. Besides these droplets, when a person coughs or speaks loudly, smaller droplets called microdroplets or aerosols are released into the air which can also contain viral particles. These aerosols form a cloud that persists in the closed space for a longer period of time compared to droplets. In this talk, I will review studies that explain the dynamics and properties of these aerosols and will discuss whether exhaled aerosols are crucial in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.