Premier Wu Den-yih said Thursday that the number of clinics dedicated to treating flu-like symptoms should be further increased to deal with the growing number of people infected with the swine flu virus, officially known as influenza A(H1N1). Wu issued the instruction after listening to a briefing by the Department of Health (DOH) at a weekly Cabinet meeting on the H1N1 outbreak situation and response measures. 'The number of clinics or special outpatient service centers dedicated to flu treatment should be expanded continually to meet demand as the H1N1 spread shows no signs of abating and the seasonal flu period is just around the corner,' Wu said. The referral and mutual support mechanism among local medical institutions at various levels should also be reinforced so that the domestic medical service and health care system can function to its fullest capacity, Wu said. Moreover, he went on, the DOH should come up with a comprehensive plan as soon as possible for mass H1N1 vaccinations, which are scheduled to begin in late October or early November. 'The inoculation venues and procedures, as well as emergency response, should be well planned to enhance operational efficiency,' Wu said. The number of patients hospitalized for severe H1N1 symptoms has continued to rise, with the number reaching 244 as of Thursday, according to statistics released by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). The hospitalization cases include 14 fatalities, with 45 patients remaining hospitalized, while the remaining 185 have been discharged after recovering. On Thursday, 11 new patients were hospitalized with severe swine flu symptoms -- five males and six females aged between 4 and 76. According to the CECC, 360 classes in 253 schools around the country, or 0.24 percent of the total, are being closed over H1N1 concerns. The class suspension policy has helped contain the spread of the swine flu, CECC officials sid. 