(WENY) – There's a new worry about the coronavirus that has researchers concerned. That worry is mutation. Analysts at the Scripps Research Institute in Florida say a mutation they have discovered affects the spike protein, which is the outer coating of the virus that it uses to get into cells.

The change could make it easier for the virus to infect human cells. More research is needed, but some experts worry this could alter how the pandemic plays out.

However, last week, the World Health Organization said mutations have not made the virus more transmissible. The WHO followed by saying mutations discovered thus far would not affect the effectiveness of vaccines now in development.