As the coronavirus continues to spread, Unicef is reminding the public of the importance of hand washing as a key preventive measure, and urging renewed efforts around the world to provide access to this most basic of health interventions.

According to the latest estimates, 40 per cent of the world’s population, or 3 billion people, do not have a hand-washing facility with water and soap at home, and nearly three quarters of the people in least developed countries lack basic hand-washing facilities.

About one in six healthcare facilities have no hand-hygiene facilities at the point of care, or soap and water in toilets.

As well as being without basic access to hand sanitation, many children lack education about the coronavirus, and psychological and social support.