What is the R-value? We explain the important metric

Literally all areas of life have been affected by the Corona pandemic, and worldwide. Among the most important metrics is the R-value and due to the importance of the topic, we also take the opportunity to explain it.

Infectious events vividly: the R-value is not complicated to understand.

There are several important numbers around pandemic control. The R-value is these days again particularly present.

What is the R-value - and how it affects?

The R-value stands for the reproduction number of the virus:

• This indicates how many people are infected by a virus carrier on average.
• The temporal dimension is also important here: Since virus carriers are usually tested positive only after at least eight days, the R-value always reflects the situation from eight to sixteen days ago.
• From this, however, conclusions about the current situation are possible, which is important for the design of measures.
• It should always be noted that the indication of the R-value can never be one hundred percent accurate. However, it has tended to be a reliable indicator.

So the lower the R-value, the slower the virus spreads. Negative events such as so-called "superspreader events" are opposed to this and should be avoided at all costs. Further always current numbers to the infection occurrence find you on this RKI side.