COVID-19 natural herd immunity and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract

The current global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus , has affected over 200 countries with more than seven million confirmed cases and about 415,000 deaths worldwide as of June 12, 2020.1 Its rapid expansion has collapsed the healthcare systems in most countries and quarantine measures taken by governments to flatten the curve of the disease are causing a socio-economic impact without precedent. These circumstances have led to many negative psychological consequences for the population , causing an increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders .2, 3 After several months struggling, many countries are finally coming out of the so-called “first wave ” of the COVID-19 pandemic, and population -level seroepidemiological studies are beginning to be published showing a low prevalence of community infection .4 The lack of a vaccine until at least the first half of 2021, the socio-economic costs of lockdown and strengthening preparation of healthcare systems for facing the pandemic have made the concept of natural herd immunity reemerge as a possible strategy for coping with a more than probable “second wave ” as social distancing measures are relaxed.