RABAT, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- H1N1 flu has killed 16 people in Morocco, the government said Tuesday.

A total of 36 people are receiving care in hospitals because of the flu, while 20 others have recovered, said Government Spokesman Mustapha El Khalfi when asked about the spread of the flu in parliament.

The confirmation of the first death from the H1N1 virus last week has raised concern in the country.

The Ministry of Health said it is monitoring the situation closely with the WHO.