BUCHAREST, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people have died of the flu virus during the current cold season in Romania, Health Minister Sorina Pintea announced Thursday.

"We cannot say that we are facing an influenza pandemic right now in Romania, but we have an influenza virus that is running around more these days," the official told a press conference.

According to Pintea, there are local outbreaks of influenza virus in the northeastern city of Iasi and in the capital city of Bucharest. There are eight cases registered at the Institute for Pneumology Marius Nasta in Bucharest.

Pintea stressed that safety measures must be taken, as the influenza virus will most likely last until April.

Until now, over 800,000 people at risk of contracting the virus have so far received the flu vaccine distributed by the ministry of health, said the minister.

According to her, strengthening preventive measures is particularly important, in addition to getting flu vaccinations. Quarantine, as well as limiting visitor access in hospitals, is among other measures.