READ HERE: Scientists are calling for people to start wearing face masks again amid a worrying Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) variant “mutation.”

The warning comes as the latest data showed that EG.5, a subvariant of omicron, now accounts for 1 in 10 COVID cases – while the number of people recorded with the virus jumped from an estimated 3.3 per 100,000 to 7.2 in less than a month.

But a brand new variant referred to as BA.6 has led some to fear that a bleak coronavirus picture could emerge in the weeks ahead.

While it has only been found in two countries so far, Denmark and Israel, one expert has claimed the new sub-strain is already showing an alarming tendency to mutate – noting that it has left a number of her peers concerned. Experts believe that the variant has over 30 mutations in its spike protein – the part of the virus that latches onto human cells and causes an infection.