What's going around in Westmont, IL: November 2026
As of November 5, 2026, flu is the illness on the rise in the Chicago suburbs, with an early start led by H1N1. COVID-19 is steady locally, RSV is low but starting to climb, croup viruses are increasing, and DuPage County confirmed one measles case in October.
Health news · reviewed by the clinical team at Urgent Care Center of WestmontUpdated November 5, 2026
Flu's share of emergency visits in the Chicago-DuPage area more than doubled between late September and October 31, 2026.
COVID-19 emergency visits in the Chicago-DuPage area held steady in October, while CDC says COVID-19 is declining nationally.
RSV is low but has started to rise, so now is the time to protect babies and adults 75 and older.
CDC reports that parainfluenza viruses, a common cause of croup, are increasing nationally.
Illinois has 24 confirmed measles cases in 2026, including one in DuPage County.
The short version: what is circulating now
This table pulls together the latest public health data for our area and the nation. Local numbers come from CDC's emergency department tracking for the Chicago-DuPage area, which covers Cook and DuPage counties.
Illnesses to watch in early November 2026
Illness
Trend
Latest data
Flu
Rising early
0.71% of Chicago-DuPage emergency visits, week ending Oct. 31 (up from 0.32% on Sept. 26), CDC
COVID-19
Steady locally, declining nationally
0.22% of Chicago-DuPage emergency visits, week ending Oct. 31, CDC
RSV
Low, starting to rise
0.07% of Chicago-DuPage emergency visits, week ending Oct. 31, CDC
The CDC FluView report for the week ending October 24, 2026 says early-season flu activity is higher than usual for this time of year. Of positive flu tests, 98.2% were influenza A, and most of those viruses have been H1N1. CDC estimates at least 1 million flu illnesses and 16,000 hospitalizations so far this season.
Flu tends to start suddenly, with fever, body aches, cough and tiredness. Antiviral medicine helps most when started within two days, so people at higher risk should not wait. It is not too late for a flu shot, which is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Our clinics offer flu testing and immunizations, including flu shots.
COVID-19 and RSV
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The CDC Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel, updated October 30, 2026, says COVID-19 activity is declining nationally and RSV activity is low in most areas. In CDC's latest variant estimate, a lineage called SW.2 made up about 28% of U.S. samples. The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines target the XFG strain.
RSV emergency visits in the Chicago-DuPage area rose from 0.02% to 0.07% between late September and October 31. Babies younger than 8 months can be protected with a pregnancy vaccine or an infant antibody shot, and adults 75 and older are advised to get a one-time RSV vaccine. We offer COVID-19 testing and RSV testing.
Croup, colds and lingering coughs
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CDC reports that parainfluenza viruses, a common cause of croup in young children, are increasing nationally. Rhinovirus and enterovirus, which cause many colds, are high but decreasing. Croup brings a barking cough and noisy breathing, often worse at night.
Two causes of long-lasting coughs are quieter than in past years:
Whooping cough: The CDC pertussis surveillance page, updated October 27, 2026, reports fewer cases so far in 2026 than at the same time in 2025.
Walking pneumonia: CDC says Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections have been decreasing since early 2025, though they stayed high in some regions into 2026.
A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks, or comes in hard coughing fits, should be checked. See our cough guide.
Measles, stomach bugs and bird flu
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Measles: The IDPH measles page shows 24 confirmed Illinois cases in 2026 as of November 5, with none in the past seven days. DuPage County confirmed one case on October 21 in a vaccinated resident who had traveled abroad. Officials say the risk to the public is low.
Norovirus: CDC's NoroSTAT network counted 62 outbreaks from August 1 to October 9, 2026, within the normal range. Outbreaks usually peak from November to April.
Bird flu (H5N1): The CDC bird flu summary, updated November 5, 2026, lists 74 human cases in the U.S. since February 2024 and says the current public health risk is low.
How Urgent Care Center of Westmont can help
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Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, has two clinics in Westmont, IL: 29 N Cass Ave and inside the Jewel-Osco at 4 E Ogden Ave. Both are open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and weekends 9 AM to 5 PM. Our team is led by board-certified physicians.
Choose a clinicBook online for the Cass Ave clinic, or walk in or call either location.
Get examined and testedWe can test for flu, COVID-19, RSV and strep, and order other lab tests when needed.
Get a treatment planYour clinician recommends treatment, which may include prescription medicine when appropriate.
X-ray if neededChest X-ray is available at our Cass Ave clinic only.
What virus is going around Westmont, IL right now?
Flu is the main illness on the rise. In CDC emergency data for the Chicago-DuPage area, flu's share of visits rose from 0.32% in late September to 0.71% in the week ending October 31, 2026. COVID-19 is steady, RSV is low but rising, and croup and cold viruses are also circulating.
How can I tell if I have flu, COVID-19 or a cold?
Flu usually starts suddenly with fever, body aches and tiredness. Colds come on slowly with a runny nose and sneezing. COVID-19 can look like either. Symptoms overlap so much that a test is the only reliable way to know, and the answer matters because flu and COVID-19 have different antiviral medicines.
Is bird flu a risk in Illinois right now?
CDC says the current public health risk from H5N1 bird flu is low. Its November 5, 2026 update lists 74 human cases in the U.S. since February 2024, and CDC reported no new human infections with novel flu viruses as of October 24. People who work with poultry or dairy cattle should follow animal health precautions.
When should my child stay home from school?
Keep your child home until their symptoms are improving overall and they have had no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine, as CDC advises. For vomiting and diarrhea, wait at least 2 days after symptoms stop. Check your school's own return rules too, and ask us for a school note if you need one.
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