COVID-19: N.S. reports 72 new cases over past 3 days, more schools closed Nova Scotia has identified 72 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday.During that time, eight schools received exposure notifications — the bulk of them in the Halifax area — and more schools in the municipality will now be closed due to an outbreak.On Monday, health officials have also recommended the closure of two more Halifax area schools bringing the number of closures to four within the last two weeks.Those schools – Joseph Howe Elementary and École Mer et Monde – will be closed to students beginning tomorrow for one week.