  We analyze risk factors correlated with the initial transmission growth rate
of the recent COVID-19 pandemic in different countries. The number of cases
follows in its early stages an almost exponential expansion; we chose as a
starting point in each country the first day $d_i$ with 30 cases and we fitted
for 12 days, capturing thus the early exponential growth. We looked then for
linear correlations of the exponents $\alpha$ with other variables, for a
sample of 126 countries. We find a positive correlation, {\it i.e. faster
spread of COVID-19}, with high confidence level with the following variables,
with respective $p$-value: low Temperature ($4\cdot10^{-7}$), high ratio of old
vs.~working-age people ($3\cdot10^{-6}$), life expectancy ($8\cdot10^{-6}$),
number of international tourists ($1\cdot10^{-5}$), earlier epidemic starting
date $d_i$ ($2\cdot10^{-5}$), high level of physical contact in greeting habits
($6 \cdot 10^{-5}$), lung cancer prevalence ($6 \cdot 10^{-5}$), obesity in
males ($1 \cdot 10^{-4}$), share of population in urban areas
($2\cdot10^{-4}$), cancer prevalence ($3 \cdot 10^{-4}$), alcohol consumption
($0.0019$), daily smoking prevalence ($0.0036$), UV index ($0.004$, 73
countries). We also find a correlation with low Vitamin D levels
($0.002-0.006$, smaller sample, $\sim 50$ countries, to be confirmed on a
larger sample). There is highly significant correlation also with blood types:
positive correlation with types RH- ($3\cdot10^{-5}$) and A+ ($3\cdot10^{-3}$),
negative correlation with B+ ($2\cdot10^{-4}$). Several of the above variables
are intercorrelated and likely to have common interpretations. We performed a
Principal Component Analysis, in order to find their significant independent
linear combinations. We also analyzed a possible bias: countries with low
GDP-per capita might have less testing and we discuss correlation with the
above variables.
