Omicron's "Tidal Wave" is coming, the UK Prime Minister has warned, the booster has set the target

Omicron's "Tidal Wave" is coming, the UK Prime Minister has warned, the booster has set the target.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned of Omicron's "wave" and set a goal to provide incentives to those over 18 within a month.

"Let no one have any doubt: Omicron's wave is coming," he said in a televised speech after the country's medical advisers raised the Covid alert level due to the "rapid increase" in infection.

"We know from bitter experience how these high-speed curves form, "he added.

The five-level Covid alert level has increased from three to four after a further 1,239 confirmed variant cases were registered on Sunday.

That brings the total number of Omicron cases in the UK to 3,137 - up 65 per cent from 1,898 on Saturday.

The four chief medical officers for the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland said the move was prompted by a consultation with the UK Health Security Agency, a public health body.

"The prevalence of COVID-19 is already high in the community, mainly driven by Delta, but the appearance of Omicron adds to the increasing and rapidly increasing risk to public and health services," they said.

"Early proof shows that Omicron is spreading a lot quicker than Delta and that immunization assurance against suggestive infection from Omicron is decreased.

"Data on severity will become clear in the coming weeks, but hospital admissions from Omicron are already occurring and are likely to increase rapidly."

Officials said boosters were needed because vaccine protection with Omicron was reduced, and a third jabs - Pfizer and Moderna - showed "good performance" in boosting immunity.