Sustained low levels of the H1N1 flu factored into decisions last month by administrators at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Brunswick Community Hospital to lift visitor restrictions that temporarily prohibited children age 18 and under from the facilities.

Brunswick Community Hospital lifted the visitor restriction on Feb. 22. New Hanover Regional Medical Center lifted restrictions on Feb. 23.

“Although H1N1 levels are declining, it is important for the community to stay vigilant against the spread of the disease in order to prevent a reoccurrence,” said NHRMC spokeswoman Erin Balzotti in a prepared statement.

In addition to Brunswick Community Hospital, visitor restrictions were lifted at other acute care hospitals in the Novant Health system, said spokeswoman Amy Myers.

Leaders at the hospitals made the decision based on three key factors, Myers said in a prepared statement.

“There have been sustained low levels of H1N1 in the community, there has been a high rate of vaccinations among the pediatric population and, a vast number of children have had H1N1 since April 2009,” Myers said.

Novant Health officials will reinstate visitor restrictions should there be a resurgence of H1N1 flu, she said.