A few weeks into the pandemic, the RKI switched its main reporting indicator from the absolute case numbers to the time dependent case reproduction number R(t). R(t) represents the number of unaffected persons that are infected by an index case.

Throughout the current Corona pandemic, epidemiological statistics are widely used in everyday life to an unprecedented rate. Various media use different indicators for all kinds of purposes, be it the honest attempt to objectively communicate the risk associated with SARS-CoV-2, or in order to up- or downplay the mortality rates.