Eight American service members and one civilian employee for the US Forces Korea have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the US military said Friday.

Of the nine, seven arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on two US government chartered flights, while the others arrived here on commercial flights, it said.

All nine individuals tested positive in their first mandatory COVID-19 test prior to entering quarantine, and they have been moved to isolation facilities at the US bases in South Korea for confirmed patients.

The latest COVID-19 cases brought the total number of infections among the USFK population to 63.

All USFK-affiliated individuals arriving in South Korea are required to undergo the virus test and are quarantined for 14 days. Medical personnel administer a second test prior to their release.

Amid an increase in the number of new virus cases among its population, USFK has conducted some 900 random tests since late May and has found no additional positive case, it said.

The number of active duty USFK service members who are currently confirmed positive for the virus stands at 21. (Yonhap)