On today’s Tantramar Report:

We recap the dire projections shared by New Brunswick public health epidemiologist Mathieu Chalifoux at a briefing on Tuesday, and the explanation from medical officer of health Jennifer Russell on why the province will not yet be moving to level 3 of its winter plan.

We bring you some highlights from Monday’s Sackville town council meeting, including words of caution from Mayor Shawn Mesheau about rumours of an imminent closure of the Sackville hospital, and plans to upgrade town facilities with facial recognition cameras.

We hear from some local parents as classes resume for another two weeks of online schooling for their kids.

We also hear from Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton about why she thinks New Brunswick should be upping public health restrictions as case counts skyrocket.

And last but not least, with extremely cold temperatures hitting New Brunswick on Tuesday, NB Power asked residents to reduce their energy consumption at peak hours. The utility says that during periods of peak energy demand, it uses its “most expensive and least green energy to power New Brunswick.” Peak demand generally happens between 6am and 9am and between 4pm and 8pm.

To help avoid using peak energy, NB Power recommends residents turn down the heat in rooms they’re not using, take shorter showers or move them to later in the day. Running dishwashers and washing machines overnight or mid-day can also help “beat the peak,” says the utility. NB Power also recommends using alternative sources of heating such as wood stoves and fireplaces.