Illinois had at least 103 outbreaks of the stomach bug norovirus in November and December — a dramatic increase from previous years, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. During the same time last winter, there were 22 reported outbreaks. This year’s numbers are also significantly higher than in winters before the pandemic, with 57 outbreaks in November and December of 2019, and 73 during that time frame in 2018, according to the state health department. While it’s typical for norovirus cases to increase between November and April each year, “We are seeing a more significant rise in infections earlier in the season than usual,” according to the state health department.