The Health Department is satisfied that a Bermudian woman in Toronto has not been affected by the SARS virus.

“We have contacted the individual who was suspected of having SARS symptoms and we are satisfied that she is not a SARS suspect and there are no health restrictions on her at this time,” said a Health Department official.

The woman was expected to fly back to the Island on Monday but called her employer to say that she had been experiencing SARS-like symptoms.

Health Department officials immediately took action to verify her symptoms and made direct contact with the woman yesterday.

They also contacted Canadian health officials and the woman's family on the Island to ensure she got appropriate medical care.

Airlines serving Bermuda out of Toronto were asked to be on the lookout for her to ensure that she received a proper assessment and cleared of SARS before being allowed to fly.

Meanwhile the World Health Organisation is reporting that the worst of the epidemic is over everywhere except China.

First detected late last year, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is believed to have originated in southern China. Symptoms are similar to the flu with a higher fever. So far the death rate from SARS is six percent but the disease is treatable if detected early enough. The World Health Organisation reported on Monday that the epidemic appeared to have already peaked in some countries, including Canada and Hong Kong.

Canada, where 343 have been affected by SARS, yesterday succeeded in having a WHO travel warning to Toronto lifted.

WHO officials cited Canada's efforts to contain the spread of the disease but warned that Toronto was still an affected area. The warning has caused severe economic damage to the city.

Toronto, a temporary home to dozens of Bermudian students, is the only place outside Asia where people have died from SARS. As of Monday the official death toll among the 343 cases in Canada was 21.

The Canadian Government announced yesterday plans to install thermal imaging technology at airports to detect people running a high fever.

An advisory against travel to Beijing and Hong Kong is still in place.

According to WHO the number of SARS cases total 5,050 globally, including 331 deaths in 26 countries. Ninety percent of the cases are in mainland China and Hong Kong and about half the total number of patients have recovered.

Earlier this week WHO listed Canada, Hong Kong and Vietnam as some of the places where the outbreak had peaked.