Population-level serologic testing has demonstrated groundbreaking results in monitoring the prevalence and case-fatality of COVID-19 within a population. In Pakistan, Getz Pharma conducted a sero-prevalence survey on a sample of 24,210 individuals using the IgG/IgM Test Kit (Colloidal gold) with follow-up and sequential testing after every 15-20 days on a sub-sample. This is the first of its kind, large scale census conducted on a dense, urban, working population in Pakistan. The study results reveal that from 24,210 individuals screened, 17.5% tested positive, with 7% IgM positive, 6.0% IgG positive and 4.5% combined IgM and IgG positive. These findings have been extrapolated to the rest of the urban, adult, working population of Pakistan, and as of 6th July, 2020, 4.11 million people in Pakistan have been infected with COVID-19, which is 17.7 times higher than the current number of 231,818 symptom-based PCR cases reported by the government which exclude asymptomatic cases.

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Background The population-based serosurveys are essential for estimating Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) burden and monitoring the progression of this pandemic. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and potential predictors of seropositivity in the Pakistani population. Methodology This population-based seroprevalence study includes consenting subjects from the workplaces (factories, corporates, restaurants, media houses, schools, banks, and hospitals) located in the urban areas of Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Quetta. We analyzed each subject's serum sample for SARS-CoV-2-IgM and/or IgG antibodies using UNIPER IgG/IgM Rapid COVID-19 Testing Kit. The subject's demographics, exposure history, and symptoms experienced (in last 7 days) were also obtained. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 16.0% (2810/17,764). The total antibody seropositivity was higher in males than females (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.110–1.340). The symptomatic subjects had 2.18 times higher odds of IgG seropositivity while 1.2 times for IgM seropositivity than the asymptomatic subjects. The multivariable logistic regression model showed that the odds of SARS-CoV-2 total antibody seroprevalence were affected by the number of dependents (OR = 1.077; 95% CI 1.054–1.099), apparent symptomology (OR = 1.288; 95% CI 1.011–1.643), close unprotected contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 (OR 2.470; 95% CI 2.164–2.819), traveling history (last 14 days) (OR = 1.537; 95% CI 1.234–1.914) and proximity with someone who traveled (OR = 1.534; 95% CI 1.241–1.896). Conclusion We found a reasonable seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the studied population. Several factors like the number of dependents, apparent symptoms, close unprotected contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, traveling history, and proximity with someone who traveled are associated with increased odds of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seropositivity.

In developing and developed countries, neurological diseases contribute to the major reason for morbidity and mortality. The overall burden is 6.5% globally, of which advanced countries contribute 10 to 11%, whereas progressive countries constitute 4 to 5%. The higher ratio in technologically advanced countries might be due to their advanced system providing complete patient data. Some neurological diseases are common and wellestablished, whereas others occur rarely or are poorly ordered. Schizophrenia affects 45 million people, whereas depression affects 340 million globally. The people living with Alzheimer’s constitute 11 to 45 million people, accounting for 1% of the total disease load. 10% Pakistani community suffer from mental disorders, with 1% Alzheimer’s, 5% depression, 2% epilepsy and 1.5% schizophrenia. Medicinal plants play a vital role in treating several neurological disorders. Due to the upsurge in the cost of the available drugs, the local population is dependent on the use of medicinal plants to treat these neurological disorders. Medicinal plants possess a great therapeutic potential and fewer side effects than synthetic drugs. In Pakistan, research on medicinal plants is increasing day by day. The Pakistani population traditionally depends on herbal medications to treat several neurological disorders. The use is more in rural areas due to easy access and costeffectiveness. In Pakistan, there is a stern gap between the availability of neurological care and a trained neurologist. In this scenario, the use of traditional medicinal plants for aiming to treat neurological disorders is obvious.