A census of all nursing home deaths took place over the weekend to help better understand the scale of Covid-19 within the facilities.
The research looking at people who have died in nursing homes since the start of the year related to coronavirus, and those not linked to the disease.
The HSE's Dr Colm Henry says it may highlight some cases that are going 'under the radar'.
"That survey carried out this weekend will give us more information.
"And the HPSE reporting, especially with expedited reporting of mortality and death registration will give us some sign as to whether or not there are some subtle cases that are going under the radar in terms of people dying in residential care settings."
