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Norovirus Surge Triggers Chicago-Area Remote Schooling as Hospitals and Data Show Spikes

Guidance focuses on 48-hour post-symptom isolation with soap-and-water hygiene plus bleach disinfection.

Overview

  • Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C shifted to an e-learning day due to widespread stomach illness, with deep cleaning planned over winter break.
  • Silver Cross Hospital near New Lenox reported dozens of norovirus cases in its emergency department over the past week as local health alerts increased.
  • WasteWaterSCAN detected a roughly 42% rise in median norovirus concentration since November, with activity rated high in the week of Dec. 8.
  • UKHSA and NHS Inform advise staying home for 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhea stops and recommend avoiding hospital visits to protect vulnerable people.
  • CDC guidance emphasizes handwashing with soap and water and bleach-based cleaning (5–25 tablespoons per gallon with 5-minute contact time), noting alcohol sanitizers are unreliable against norovirus.