The 17 residents of a nursing home where eight patients died of Covid-19 will have their conditions reviewed, the HSE has said.
It emerged that nine people, all aged between 66 and 84, living at Maryborough Centre, St Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise, Co Laois, died over the bank holiday weekend.
Eight of them had tested positive for the deadly infection.
In a statement, the HSE said: "The HSE would like to express its sincere sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased."
"Staff at the centre are in contact with the families of the deceased and are available for support and advice."
The HSE said the remaining 17 residents are being managed as though they have the virus and will have their conditions reviewed.
The national lead for integrated care with the HSE, Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain, said staff at Maryborough had followed HSE policy, which is to separate residents.
Dr Ni Bhriain told RTE radio if a situation arose in a particular residential setting that became "unmanageable", the possibility of moving residents elsewhere to safeguard against the virus would be explored.
She expressed her sympathy and said she is deeply sorry for the families who lost their loved ones.
On Wednesday night, it was confirmed two healthcare workers at hospital in Co Kilkenny died from Covid-19 since last weekend.
A woman in her 50s and a man in his 40s both fell ill while working at St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny.
The woman died in the hospital on Wednesday and the man died at his home on Tuesday.
