A Mount Vernon police officer who spent almost three weeks fighting the coronavirus is now recovered and back at work - and sharing her story of perseverance and survival.

Sgt. Michel Yant Terry says she’s now feeling stronger than ever and she wants to make it her personal mission to educate others. 

"I'm here to spread hope, love, knowledge," she says. 

She says her job to protect and serve - and now educate - has never felt more important and more crucial than ever before. 

She’s been going around talking to residents about how to protect themselves from catching the coronavirus and what they should do if they get it. 

About 50 city workers tested positive for the coronavirus in the last month.

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says those workers coming back to work are also opening up about their experiences.

"We only heard about death and ventilators. People needed to see there were others who were surviving this and who could give them tips to walk through this and put a face to this virus, she says. 

 GET INFORMATION: Coronavirus details from the CDC