The health watchdog will today publish new guidelines for nursing homes to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Nursing homes account for almost half of the Republic's deaths from Covid-19.
According to The Irish Times, one in five residents in care homes believed to have died from the virus were never tested.
Health Minister Simon Harris says he will meet Nursing Homes Ireland and Hiqa today.
"Hiqa will publish a new framework, a checklist if you like, that all long term residential facilities will have to comply with.
"I hope it'll be seen in a supportive context.
"Hiqa will then begin to visit premises, meet with people, and do everything they can to help make sure that everything humanly possible is being done."
